A Long Island woman was released after being arrested on drunk driving charges for her role in a crash on the Whitestone Expressway in Flushing early Saturday morning in which another woman was hurled off the elevated roadway and seriously injured.
Samantha Maloney, 22, was arraigned then released Sunday on her own recognizance, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office. Maloney will appear in court on April 13.
“This tragic collision could possibly have been avoided if, as alleged, the defendant did not choose to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol. Drinking and driving is never a good idea – and can often have serious consequences,”said District Attorney Brown.
The chain reaction accident reportedly started at about 5 a.m. Saturday on the expressway’s northbound side near the Grand Central Parkway. Maloney had a Vodka Tonic before she left the Central Club in Astoria and then ran her 2014 Nissan Juke over something on the roadway, according to the criminal complaint.
Authorities said Maloney called a female friend for help; she arrived at the scene moments later in a 2015 Dodge. Then, according to police, an off-duty paramedic pulled up to the scene in his 2009 Chevrolet to assist Maloney.
Finally, it was reported, a 2013 Jeep Cherokee driven by an off-duty NYPD lieutenant smacked into the Dodge, causing Maloney’s friend to be hurled over the wall and down to the ground about 25 feet below.
Paramedics rushed Maloney’s friend to New York Presbyterian Queens in critical condition; the others were also taken there for treatment of injuries not considered life-threatening.
Following an investigation, Maloney was taken into custody on DWI. Authorities said an examination four hours later revealed she had an alcohol level of 0.95. Maloney could face up to a year in prison if convicted.
