Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Yaser Ibrahim, 18, was arraigned on a charge of leaving the scene of a fatal incident without reporting it, as well as driving without a license, speeding and other vehicle and traffic violations, following a crash Monday night that left a 16-year-old boy dead in Astoria.

DA Katz said: “The rules of the road like speed limits and licensing requirements exist to prevent tragedies like this one. We will seek justice for the young victim and his loved ones.”

Ibrahim, 18, of Levittown, was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on a complaint charging him with leaving the scene of an incident without reporting. He was also issued violations for speeding, having tinted windows, no insurance and driving without a license. Judge Anthony M. Battisti set a return date of June 6. If convicted, Ibrahim faces up to seven years in prison.

According to the charges, on April 10, at approximately 9:45 p.m., Jaydan McLaurin of Long Island City was riding an electric Citi Bike through the intersection of 21^st Street and 21^st Avenue in Astoria. He was hit by a 2022 BMW X7 going south.

The car was then located several blocks away from the collision scene with significant front end damage to the bumper and to the windshield. Ibrahim admitted he was driving the SUV at about 45 to 50 mph and hit the bicyclist. The posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour. He told police he stopped and saw the debris, got nervous and left the scene.

Ibrahim could not produce a valid driver’s license or insurance and had only a learner’s permit. The car’s windows were also heavily tinted.

Jaydan was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead from severe head and body trauma.

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 and John Kosinski, Senior Deputy Bureau Chiefs, and Karen Ross, Deputy Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.