By Sadef Ali Kully
CAMBRIA HEIGHTS—A Cambria Heights teenager has been charged with reckless driving, endangerment and other charges of speedily weaving in and out of traffic on the Cross Island Parkway and striking two vehicles including an NYPD vehicle, according to the Queens district attorney.
Matthew Robinson, 19, from 231st Street, was arraigned on a criminal complaint charging him with first-degree reckless endangerment, leaving the scene without reporting personal injury and several other infractions and violations of the state’s vehicle and traffic laws, the DA said.
According to the complaint, Robinson allegedly struck a yellow minibus, which was in the right lane, and a Honda, which was in the middle lane, causing the Honda, occupied by a elderly Long Island couple, to veer into the left lane and strike the center cement median which caused an unmarked NYPD minivan to strike the Honda. The Honda rolled up onto the hood of the minivan and flipped multiple times before landing upside down, leaving the 77-year-old man who was in the car, hanging upside down in his seat, bleeding from his nose and mouth and with bumps and bruises to his body, and the other passenger, his 73-year-old wife, bleeding from a large laceration to her head, according to court records.
The couple in the Honda were taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. The two officers in the minivan suffered back, neck and wrist injuries were also taken to the hospital for treatment.
Prosecutors allege Robinson exited the BMW and fled the location with a backpack without exchanging any identifying information. Robinson allegedly returned approximately five minutes later without the backpack and stated, “I’m sorry. I got scared,” according to court records.
Robinson is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 26. If convicted he could face up to seven years in prison.
Reach Reporter Sadef Ali Kully by e-mail at skull
