The Bronx man who killed someone in Middle Village after going on a driving rampage through Brooklyn and Queens in a stolen box truck was indicted on murder charges this week, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Monday.
Ramon Pena, 37, faces 25 years to life in prison after being charged in a 32-count indictment. The charges include murder, felony assault, grand larceny, leaving the scene of the accident without reporting death, criminal mischief, criminal possession of a weapon and driving without a valid license.
On July 30, Pena allegedly stole a box truck that was parked with the keys in its ignition on 101st Street in Jamaica, according to the charges. Pena drove off down Humboldt and Metropolitan Avenues in Queens and Brooklyn, striking over 20 parked and moving cars along the way, according to Katz.
Eyewitnesses claimed the truck was traveling over 50 miles per hour at some points, speeding through red lights, driving on the sidewalk and barreling down the wrong side of the street, the DA said.
As Pena approached the intersection of Rentar Plaza and Metropolitan Avenue, he ran through a red light and hit Hamlet Cruz-Gomez, 25, who was driving a Honda CR-V, according to the charges. Cruz-Gomez was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
After the crash, Pena allegedly jumped out of the box truck and made his way down to the Metropolitan Avenue subway station, where he was found by police and arrested.
Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder ordered Pena to be held without bail on Monday, Sept. 22. He’ll return to court on Nov. 2.
