The driver accused in a deadly hit-and-run that left a Long Island man fatally dragged beneath an SUV in December 2023 has turned himself in to police after months of investigation, authorities said.
Warren Rollins, 49, surrendered to detectives at the NYPD’s 105th Precinct in Queens around 8 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3, according to police sources. Law enforcement had been closing in on Rollins following a nearly six-month probe into the December 2023 incident.
Police say 66-year-old Gary Charlotin of North Baldwin was attempting to cross the intersection of Hempstead Avenue and 223rd Street in Queens Village on the night of December 10, 2023, when he was first struck by a sedan that allegedly ran a red light. The driver of that vehicle fled the scene.
Charlotin lay injured in the eastbound lane when Rollins, allegedly behind the wheel of an SUV, struck him a second time. Police allege that Charlotin became trapped beneath the vehicle and was dragged as Rollins continued driving.
Witnesses at the scene reportedly gathered around Rollins’ vehicle, attempting to intervene and stop him from fleeing further. According to a police source, one 911 caller told dispatchers that Charlotin appeared to still be alive as he was being dragged.
However, Rollins allegedly refused to acknowledge the collision, reportedly telling bystanders that he had not struck anyone before driving away. As he fled the scene, Charlotin remained trapped beneath the SUV and was dragged for more than 1,000 feet before his body was dislodged from the vehicle. Emergency medical services responded to the scene, but Charlotin was pronounced dead upon arrival.
In January 2024, police arrested 36-year-old Osman Zavala-Varela, who authorities say was driving the sedan that initially struck Charlotin. Zavala-Varela was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, as well as failure to obey a traffic signal.
Rollins is now facing more serious charges, as investigators allege he was aware he had struck Charlotin but continued to flee. After being questioned at the 105th Precinct, Rollins was escorted out of the station house in handcuffs.
He is charged with murder: depraved indifference, as well as manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
