People hit in Inwood as Far Rockway man is caught driving drunk

Posted

A Far Rockaway resident allegedly stole a 1997 International truck parked with its engine running at a construction site on the Nassau Expressway north of Burnside Avenue in Inwood sometime after midnight on Sept. 8, and then proceeded to hit two people, a fence and a car, according to Nassau County police.

Yefry Ramirez-Diego, 34, of Beach 58th Street, got into the truck and allegedly drove off the site followed by a vehicle with two men employed there. Ramirez-Diego stopped at the intersection of Sheridan Boulevard and Nassau Avenue, the two men positioned their vehicle in front of the truck and tried to get Ramirez-Diego out of the truck, they were unsuccessful, police said.

Ramirez-Diego then drove toward the men as they stood in front of the truck. One jumped out of the way, the other man, 60, was struck on the arm, police said. Ramirez-Diego then headed west on Sheridan Boulevard, and according to police, lost control of the truck, crashed into a fence and struck a man, 42, who was walking on Carvel Place, and then the truck hit a 2015 Nissan Altima parked on the same street.

He then fled on foot and was caught a short time later with the help of New York City police at 1:35 a.m. The subsequent investigation uncovered that Ramirez-Diego was driving drunk, police said. The 60-year-old declined medical attention. The 42-year-old was taken to a local hospital and treated for hip and stomach pain.

Ramirez-Diego is charged with robbery second-degree, grand larceny second-degree, unauthorized use of a vehicle first-degree, criminal mischief fourth-degree, reckless endangerment second-degree, leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury, driving while intoxicated, assault third-degree, and reckless driving, unlicensed operator. He will be arraigned on Sept. 9, at First District Court in Hempstead.