A Richmond Hill man was sentenced in Queens Supreme Court on Thursday to 4-12 years in prison for a drunken collision that killed a 36-year-old city worker during an early morning crash nearly a year ago.
Errick Persaud, 25, of 104th Street pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the second degree before Justice Michael Aloise on May 8. According to the charges, at approximately 2:30 a.m. on July 6, 2023, video surveillance footage showed Persaud behind the wheel of a black Mercedes-Benz speeding through a steady red light at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard in Richmond Hill.
Persaud crashed into a Department of Environmental Protection truck near the intersection. The impact of the collision toppled the truck and ejected 36-year-old Michael Rodriguez from the passenger seat and onto the roadway, where he was pinned under the wreckage. The 40-year-old driver of the truck sustained minor injuries in the collision. EMS responded to the scene and rushed Rodriguez to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center with severe head and body trauma and was pronounced dead by hospital staff a short while later.
“This defendant made a selfish decision to drive drunk and that choice led to a completely avoidable tragedy,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. “Errick Persaud endangered every person on the road in those early morning hours and crashed into a DEP truck, killing 36-year-old Michael Rodriguez.”
Following the crash, Persaud was transported to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital for treatment of his minor injuries. A Breathalyzer was administered to Persaud that indicated he had a blood alcohol content of .134%, which is above the legal threshold of .08%.
“My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting dangerous drivers and we hope today’s sentence provides a measure of solace to the victim’s family,” Katz said.
