Press Release

BROOKLYN MAN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER IN DEADLY CRASH THAT KILLED LYFT DRIVER

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Erik Chimborazo, 22, has been charged with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter and other crimes for allegedly driving while intoxicated, running a red light and crashing into a Lyft driver.

District Attorney Katz said, “The rules of the road exist to save lives. As alleged, this defendant ignored them and made selfish, illegal decisions from the moment he got behind the wheel of the car, with tragic results. The defendant allegedly drove without a license and without registration, at an unlawfully high speed and twice the legal blood alcohol limit, through a red light. Now, a hardworking family man is dead, his widow, children and community are in mourning and the defendant faces justice in the Courts.”

Chimborazo, of 169 Suydam Street, Brooklyn, was arraigned this morning before Queens Criminal Court Judge Karen Gopee on a complaint charging him with manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, criminally negligent homicide, operating a motor vehicle while under influence of alcohol or drugs, operation motor vehicle while under influence of alcohol, registration of motor vehicles; fees; renewals, issuance, number, location and condition of vehicle plates, driving by unlicensed operator. Judge Gopee ordered the defendant to return to court on June 17, 2021. If convicted, Chimborazo faces up to 15 years in prison.

District Attorney Katz said that on June 13, 2021, between 3:45 am and 4:15 am, the defendant, who was driving a Black Ford Sport SUV at a high rate of speed eastbound on Eliot Avenue. The defendant ran a steady red light and collided into a Toyota Rav 4, driven by the victim, Hossain Mohammed, 47.  Mr. Mohammed was travelling south on Fresh Pond Road and had the green light.

The victim was immediately transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased as a result of his injuries. A passenger, seated in the rear of the victims’ vehicle, was removed to a local Queens hospital where he underwent treatment for a broken femur as a result of the collision.

According to the charges, Chimborazo was also taken to a local Queens hospital where a portable breath test was administered which indicated that the defendants’ blood alcohol contact was .16 – which is above the legal limit of .08 in New York City.

A search of the motor vehicles database indicated that the defendant does not possess a New York State Drivers’ License and that the plate number of the Black Ford SUV does not have a valid registration. The plate number does not belong to the SUV but has a different VIN number that does not match the aforementioned vehicle.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Patrick McMahon of the New York City Police Department’s Highway Safety District under the supervision of Sergeant Robert Denig.

Assistant District Attorney Antonio Vittiglio, of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Peter J. McCormack III, Senior Deputy Bureau Chief of Homicide, John W. Kosinski and Karen Ross, Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Daniel A. Saunders.

**Criminal complaints and indictments are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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