By Alex Robinson
A 24-year-old Flushing man, accused of driving with a suspended license when he was in a New Year’s Eve car crash that took the life of a pre-K teacher, made his first appearance in court Monday.
Anthony Zupnick was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle after he collided with Annamarie Tromp, 56, who was driving at the corner of 33rd Avenue and 172nd Street shortly after 2:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve, the NYPD said.
Family members and friends of Tromp attended the Queens Criminal Court proceedings to get their first glimpse of the young man they hold responsible for their loved one’s death.
“To see him there was tough,” said Louisa Anastasi, Tromp’s sister. “A 24-year-old can ruin a family. I’m very saddened by that. He was there with his whole family and we’re missing a piece of ours.”
The court proceedings were adjourned until March 3 because the DA’s office did not have a plea offer since the investigation is ongoing.
Zupnick had his license suspended nine times before the accident, the last time Nov. 26, 2013, the Queens district attorney’s office said in court documents.
Theresa Marangiello, who lives at the corner where the accident occurred, said she was getting ready to go to a New Year’s Eve party when she heard the crash and went outside to see what had happened.
“He was going so fast that when he hit her, she rolled over so many times in my neighbor’s driveway,” she said in a telephone interview.
Marangiello said Zupnick ended up hitting her tenant’s parked car farther down the street after he collided with Tromp.
When police arrived at the scene of the crash, Zupnick was unable to provide a driver’s license and told officers he did not see Tromp coming until it was too late and that he was “not paying attention to the speed of his vehicle,” according to the criminal complaint filed by the Queens DA.
Zupnick refused to comment after he left court and his lawyer, Steve Zissou, did not return a phone call requesting comment.
“I hope for justice,” Anastasi said. “My whole family is hoping for justice and I have all the faith in our legal system.”
Tromp’s family and friends have struggled to deal with the death of the popular teacher, who taught at PS 79 in Whitestone.
“As the days go by it isn’t getting any easier for us. It’s getting harder. The shock is wearing off and we’re starting to realize that she’s gone forever,” Anastasi said.
The school’s principal, Dr. Paula Marron, will be holding a memorial service for students, parents, friends and Tromp’s family at PS 79, at 147-27 15th Drive, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m.
“We can’t bring her back, but she’s in all of our hearts and we’re all thinking about her,” said Lois Kaplan, a second-grade teacher at PS 79. “Dr. Marron has tried to make the school run as normally as possible. It’s so hard. We have to pass her classroom every day.”
Tromp’s family also said they hope to commemorate Tromp’s memory by planting a tree at the site of the crash.
“We’re heartbroken,” Anastasi said.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
