Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Ray Perez was indicted on charges of manslaughter, drunk driving and other crimes for a deadly collision in February that killed his long-time girlfriend who was the mother of his child. Perez allegedly sped through a stop sign, collided with another vehicle and several parked cars, then drove approximately four miles before seeking help for 29-year-old Bridget Enriquez who later died from her injuries.

District Attorney Katz said: “A mother’s life was taken due to the alleged reckless actions of the defendant who is accused of getting behind the wheel after a night of drinking and then failing to immediately get help after his passenger was seriously injured. There is no excuse for ignoring the rules of the road. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol puts everyone at risk including, in this case, the defendant’s own girlfriend who leaves a young child behind.”

Perez, 27, of Caton Avenue, Brooklyn, who is also known as Rey Perez, was arraigned on a 13-count indictment on charges of manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, attempted assault in the second degree, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the first degree, leaving scene of an incident without reporting, menacing in the second degree, two counts of operating a motor vehicle while under influence of alcohol, operating a  motor vehicle while impaired by a combined use of drugs or of alcohol and drugs, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree and operating or driving a motor vehicle without a license.

He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis ordered Perez to return to court on June 20.

According to the charges:

• From approximately 9:15 p.m. February 21 to 1:16 a.m. February 22, Perez and Enriquez were at NYC Gentleman’s Club at 26-50 Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in Woodside where Perez consumed multiple mixed drinks containing alcohol.
• Perez was escorted out of the premises around 1:16 a.m. and then became engaged in a dispute with the bar staff. The defendant swung a shovel at the staff before leaving with Enriquez in a red Nissan Altima.
• Perez returned to the club at approximately 3:56 a.m. and started another altercation. Video surveillance showed Perez driving the wrong way on a one-way street and chasing after a group of men which appeared to include the bouncers who removed him earlier.
• Perez was then observed driving his Nissan Altima on 28^th Avenue in Astoria by a police officer who noticed he had a bent license plate and tried to pull him over. Perez sped off.
• The defendant then proceeded through three stop signs at a high rate of speed in a residential area. His car was struck on the driver’s side by another vehicle, causing him to lose control and hit two parked cars. Perez continued driving and turned down 47^th Street to flee the scene without reporting the incident.
• At approximately 4:24 a.m., officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of 56^th Drive and 61^st Street in Maspeth and found a red Nissan Altima with heavy damage. Perez had knocked on the door of a resident at the location, which was about four miles from the Astoria intersection, to ask for help.
• Officers observed Enriquez, whom Perez referred to as his wife, unconscious with blood on her face and blood on the passenger seat. Enriquez was immediately transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
• Perez was also observed by officers to have slurred speech, watery eyes, a strong odor of alcohol emanating from his breath and was swaying on his feet. He was taken to a hospital where blood was drawn and subsequently recovered pursuant to a court ordered warrant. Toxicology testing revealed that Perez’s blood alcohol content was 0.16 percent, which is above the legal threshold of .08 percent, and that he also had Alprazolam and THC in his system.
• Perez admitted that he was driving the car and told police he drank two beers.
• A check of motor vehicle records indicated that Perez’s driver’s license was suspended.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Cox of District Attorney’s Vehicular Homicide Unit within the Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauszpigel 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.