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Car crash in Baldwin turns deadly after drivers fight

Queens man charged with second-degree murder

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A traffic crash in Baldwin late Saturday evening turned deadly, landing a Queens man behind bars.

Patrick Destine, 26, from the Hollis section of Queens, was reportedly driving a 2004 Infiniti G35, when he crashed with a 2003 Honda minivan at the intersection of Schuman Place and Forest Avenue just before 11 p.m., on Saturday.

According to reports, both Destine and David McKenzie, the 54-year-old Honda driver, jumped out of their vehicles and immediately began arguing. The verbal altercation turned into a physical one, with Destine putting McKenzie on the ground, police said, and then repeatedly kicking him in the head. 

Once police arrived, Destine reportedly tried to run, but didn't get far. 

McKenzie suffered severe head trauma, and was rushed to a local hospital, where he died just after midnight.

McKenzie was a father of two and a grandfather. McKenzie's family placed a candle on the sidewalk where he was found by police just feet from their home. 

Destine is charged with driving while intoxicated and second-degree murder. He's expected to be arraigned on Monday.

Police are still trying to piece together what happened. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-8477.

All calls, authorities say, will remain anonymous.