Press Release
DRIVER CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER AND DWI AFTER COLLISION THAT KILLED CITY WORKER IN RICHMOND HILL
Defendant Allegedly Sped Through Intersection, Hitting City Truck
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Errick Persaud was arraigned on charges of manslaughter and driving while under the influence after allegedly slamming his Mercedes-Benz into a New York City Department of Environmental Protection truck in Richmond Hill Thursday and killing a 36-year-old worker sitting inside.
DA Katz said: “Drunk driving is never acceptable and this defendant’s alleged selfish actions have led to tragic consequences for a city worker who was doing his job. We will seek justice for this victim and his loved ones.”
Persaud, 24, of 104th Street in Richmond Hill, was arraigned Thursday night on a complaint charging him with manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Queens Criminal Court Judge Scott Dunn set a return date of July 11. If convicted, Persaud faces up to 15 years in prison.
According to the charges:
• On July 6, at approximately 2:30 a.m., video surveillance footage showed Persaud driving a black Mercedes-Benz at high speed through a steady red light at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard.
• Persaud hit the Department of Environmental Protection truck near the intersection. The impact of the collision toppled the truck, ejecting 36-year-old Michael Rodriguez from the passenger seat. The 40-year-old driver of the truck sustained minor injuries.
• Rodriguez was taken to a local hospital with severe head and body trauma and died due to his injuries.
• After the accident, a breathalyzer was administered to Persaud that indicated he had a blood alcohol content of .134 percent, which was above the legal threshold of .08 percent.
The investigation was conducted by Detective Kevin Long of the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad.
Assistant District Attorney Alexia Campoverde of the Career Criminal Major Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Castellano of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Michael Whitney, Senior Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.
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