Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Mohammad Bhuiyan was arraigned today on grand jury indictment charges for allegedly driving the wrong way on Northern Boulevard and striking and killing a 59-year-old Astoria man riding a scooter in November 2023.

District Attorney Katz said: “It is the moral obligation of every single driver to ensure the safety of those we encounter on our shared roadways. The victim was driving to make a food delivery when the defendant allegedly drove on the wrong side of the roadway, hitting the victim head-on and causing severe injuries that ultimately led to his death. A vehicle is capable of inflicting drastic damage and my office will continue to ensure that drivers who break the law are held responsible in this borough. My thoughts are with the victim’s loved ones at this time.”

Bhuiyan, 48, of Woodside, was arraigned before Judge Ira Margulis on an indictment charging him with criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving and failing to obey passing safety markers. The defendant faces a potential maximum of one and-a-third years to four years in prison if convicted on the top charge. He is due back in court on June 20.

 

According to the allegations and indictment:

 

• On November 27, 2023, at approximately 11:51 p.m., Bhuiyan was operating a 2023 Toyota Rav 4 yellow taxi.

 

• The defendant exited the 59th Street Bridge and traveled onto Northern Boulevard, where he drove eastbound in the westbound lane of traffic for approximately 300 feet.

 

• The Rav 4 then collided head-on with a 2020 Yamaha XMAX scooter operated by Antonios Spyropoulos.

 

• The victim was driving a licensed and insured vehicle while making a delivery for DoorDash.

 

• Spyropolis sustained substantial trauma to his body and was transported to Elmhurst General Hospital where he received treatment.

 

• The 59-year-old Astoria man succumbed to his injuries several days later and died on December 1, 2023.

 

• After an investigation by the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad and District Attorney’s Vehicular Homicide Unit, the defendant was indicted by a grand jury.

 

• An arrest warrant was subsequently issued and Bhuiyan was apprehended today by the NYPD’s Queens Warrants Squad.

 

Assistant District Attorney Vivian Gonzalez of District Attorney’s Vehicular Homicide Unit within the Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Jonathan Selkowe, Unit Chief, John Kosinski, Bureau Chief, and Karen Ross, Deputy Chief and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.