By Sadef Ali Kully
A Far Rockaway man accused of a hit-and-run accident which left a woman critically injured was charged Tuesday with leaving the scene and driving with a suspended license, the Queens district attorney’s office said.
According to the criminal complaint, Watson was driving a white 2013 Ford Mustang with black racing stripes eastbound on Seagirt Boulevard at about 12:35 p.m. Dec. 13, when he allegedly struck a 21-year-old woman walking with a small child at the intersection with Beach 19th Street.
Denzel Watson, 23, From Beach 19th Street in Far Rockaway, was arraigned Tuesday before Queens Criminal Court Judge Ernest Hart on a complaint charging him with leaving the scene without reporting and second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, the Queens DA said.
“The defendant is accused of striking a pedestrian and driving away immediately afterwards without exchanging information or checking to see if the victim needed medical assistance, thus leaving the critically injured victim and her family to fend for themselves,” DA Richard Brown said. “The defendant, who is also charged with driving without a valid license, now faces serious charges.”
Police said when they arrived on the scene they found the woman unconscious on the ground and parts of a side view mirror in the roadway. The child was the victim’s 5-year old niece, who was pushed back to safety on the sidewalk before her aunt was hit by the speeding car, according to the New York Post.
According to the criminal complaint, less than 30 minutes later, the white Ford Mustang was stopped by police near the Queens-Nassau County border. The Mustang appeared to have sustained front end damage and was missing parts of the passenger side view mirror. Watson allegedly could not produce a valid driver’s license, according to court records.
Police said the woman was taken to Jamaica Hospital and treated for serious injuries.
The Queens DA said the injuries sustained in the collision included a fractured hip and femur, facial fractures and head injuries. The victim remained in critical condition.
The DA said if convicted Watson could face up to four years in prison. He was ordered held on $250,000 bond or $100,000 cash bail and scheduled to return to court on Dec. 29.
Reach Reporter Sadef Ali Kully by e-mail at skull
