Post-Pursuit Corona Crashes Injures Seven
Speeding away from the law reportedly proved a harmful decision for a Bronx man involved in a Corona crash spree last Saturday afternoon, Mar. 1, that left him and six others injured.
Law enforcement sources said Joseph Barriga, 26, of West 192nd Street remains hospitalized in serious condition from injuries he sustained in the incident which began after officers tried to stop him at an Elmhurst intersection.
According to police, officers from the NYPD Queens Gang Unit observed Barriga ignoring a stop sign while behind the wheel of an SUV traveling on 49th Avenue between 93rd and 94th streets at about 5:22 p.m. last Saturday.
When the officers signaled for him to stop, authorities said, Barriga-who was with a 26-yearold male passenger-refused to stop and sped away from the scene along 93rd Street. Seconds later, he was reportedly observed traveling eastbound on 50th Avenue into oncoming traffic.
At that point, law enforcement sources said, the officers’ patrol supervisor instructed them to end their pursuit.
Meanwhile, police noted, Barriga allegedly kept speeding through Corona and Elmhurst streets. At the intersection of 99th Street near 57th Avenue, he reportedly blew a red light and struck a vehicle which had five individuals inside.
Seconds later, authorities noted, Barriga allegedly hit a second vehicle, then slammed into a doubleparked car.
He finally stopped after reportedly hitting two parked vehicles.
Officers from the 110th Precinct joined other NYPD units and EMS units in responding to the scene. Paramedics brought Barriga and the 26-year-old male passenger to Elmhurst Hospital Center.
The other five victims were treated for minor injuries, police noted.
Following an investigation and while under hospitalization, Barriaga was booked on charges including reckless endangerment, aggravated unlicensed operator, reckless driving and assorted vehicle infractions.
An investigation is ongoing.
