By Naeisha Rose
Agostinho Sinclair, 41, was arraigned and charged last week after hitting an 11-year-old bicyclist with his car and fleeing the scene in his hometown of Bayswater, a section of Far Rockaway, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown’s office. The child was seriously injured.
Sinclair was apprehended Aug. 14, a day after the hit-and-run, as he went across the street from his home on Bay 28th Street toward his damaged car, which was being observed by a peace officer.
While being apprehended, he allegedly admitted to being in a car mishap the day before, according to the DA.
“I have a Honda Accord. I was in the accident last night. I don’t remember what time, probably late afternoon,” was the defendant’s alleged statement, according to the DA’s office.
Video surveillance showed that on Aug. 13, at about 8:10 p.m., a dark four-door sedan struck the boy on the bike and the motorist then fled the scene. The car was depicted as having no front license plate and an-out-of-state rear license plate, prosecutors said.
The incident occurred at the intersection of Healy Avenue and Dickens Street, a mere few blocks from Sinclair’s home. The crash wrecked both the passenger headlight and hood area, and resulted in the windshield being shattered on that section of the car as well, according to the criminal complaint filed by the DA.
“The defendant is accused of driving his vehicle without a license and while doing so, colliding with a young boy riding his bike. To add insult to injury, the defendant did not bother to stop to offer the injured child aid and instead fled the scene,” said Brown.
Sinclair was charged with reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting a serious physical injury, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and driving by an unlicensed operator, according to the criminal complaint.
Sinclair’s driver’s license was suspended on Dec. 27, 2017.
The 11-year-old victim was admitted to a hospital in Queens and had contusions, swelling and bleeding in his intestines, and numerous other injuries, according to the complaint.
If convicted, Sinclair could face up to seven years in prison.
“The defendant’s alleged actions showed a wanton and reckless disregard for human life,” said Brown.
Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose
