A suspended MTA operator will spend a long time in prison for killing a famous Forest Hills jeweler during a July 2015 road rage incident.
Charles Jordan, 48, of Valley Stream, Long Island, was ordered on Wednesday to serve up to 26 years in prison for the death of Aron “Eric” Aranbayev, a married father of four who served celebrity clients out of his jewelry store in Manhattan’s Diamond District.
“Today’s sentence, imposed by the court, punishes the defendant for this vicious act that arose out of a petty dispute,” Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said in a statement. “This was a senseless death that could have easily been avoided.”
Prosecutors said Jordan was driving a 2005 dark blue Dodge Magnum at a high rate of speed along 71st Avenue in Forest Hills at 11 p.m. on July 19, 2015, just as Aranbayev was exiting from a vehicle after being driven there by friends. This led to a brief confrontation that caused Jordan to back up his vehicle to further argue with Aranbayev.
Jordan then appeared to drive way, only to go back in reverse seconds later and strike Aranbayev; he then fled the scene.
Officers from the 112th Precinct and EMS units responded to the scene. Aranbayev suffered a skull fracture and brain damage, and died a short time later.
Members of the 112th Precinct Detective Squad and the Queens North Homicide Squad apprehended Jordan a week after the deadly incident. He was convicted last month of first-degree manslaughter and felony leaving the scene of an accident.
