By Naeisha Rose
A car accident in Ozone Park turned into an assault earlier this week after an off-duty correction officer allegedly became heated when his vehicle was damaged, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office.
The car accident allegedly led to off-duty city employee Raynaldo Persad, 40, cursing and dragging the other driver, Steven Guerreri, out of his vehicle and beating him up in plain view of 106th Precinct Police Officer Yanely Dominguez Prieto.
In a deposition, Dominguez Prieto said she witnessed Persad walk up to Guerreri and say “That’s f**ked up what you did to the car. That’s why I did it. I’m going over there to f**k you up.”
Moments later, Persad allegedly started punching Guerreri, resulting in swelling to his eyes, as well as lacerations and bleeding to his face, according to an arraignment.
By the time Dominguez Prieto made it to the scene to arrest the defendant, Persad allegedly started to flail his arms in an attempt to avoid being arrested, according to the arraignment.
Guerreri was sent to an area hospital and was treated for his injuries, while Persad was later arrested for harassment, assault and resisting arrest, according to the arraignment.
Persad is expected to return to court Nov. 30, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office.
Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose
