Press Release

Faces up to 5 to 15 Years in Prison

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Yaser Ibrahim was indicted today by a Queens grand jury and arraigned on manslaughter and other charges in connection with a car crash in Astoria that left a 16-year-old bicyclist dead.

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

Ibrahim, 18, of Levittown, was arraigned in Queens Supreme Court on an 11-count indictment charging him with manslaughter in the second degree; criminally negligent homicide; assault in the second degree; leaving the scene of an incident without reporting; failing to stop at a steady red signal; operating a vehicle at unreasonable speed; driving in excess of the maximum speed limit; operating a motor vehicle or permitting it to be operated in this state without having in full force financial security; two counts of operating a motor vehicle with a tinted window; and operating or driving a motor vehicle without a license. Justice Bruna Dibiase set a return date of July 20. If convicted, Ibrahim faces up to 5 to 15 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 21st Street and 21st Avenue in Astoria. He was struck by a 2022 BMW X7 going south.

– The BMW was located several blocks away from the collision scene with significant damage to the bumper and windshield.

– Ibrahim admitted he was driving the SUV at about twice the unposted 25-mile-per-hour speed limit and hit the cyclist. He told police he stopped, saw people running to the street, 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 heavily tinted.

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

Assistant District Attorney Amenaghawon Enoma along with Assistant District Attorney Mia Ervolino of the District Attorney’s Felony Trial Bureau are prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Barry Weinrib, Senior Deputy Chief, Andrea Medina, Deputy Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Pishoy Yacoub.

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