By Jeff Lipton
The suspect, identified as Oscar Berrios, was celebrating his 27th birthday when the fatal accident occurred at 120th Street on the westbound Belt Parkway near the Lefferts Boulevard exit at about 2:30 a.m. on Monday, according to a spokesman for the New York City Police Department. Berrios was driving a 2001 Volkswagon when he lost control of the car in the one-car accident, officials said.
Police said Berrios was also charged with driving without a license and driving while intoxicated. He suffered a broken back in the accident and was taken to Jamaica Hospital in Queens, officials said.
His passenger, identified as Ernesto Anazola, 21, died in the crash, police said. Another passenger was not injured, police said.
Cop struck in hit-and-run
As Police Officer Maureen Cerati of the 106th Precinct in Queens was cordoning off the Belt Parkway with flares to steer cars away from the fatal wreck, she was struck by an alleged hit-and-run driver, authorities said. The officer rolled under the wheels of the gold 1990 Infiniti sedan and was dragged about 100 yards along the highway's westbound lanes, officials said.
The Infiniti then collided with another vehicle and came to a stop. The driver of the Infiniti then fled on foot, police said.
The 35-year-old officer suffered a broken clavicle, a collapsed lung and a possible fractured ankle, officials said. She was listed in serious but stable condition at Jamaica Hospital. Police officials said the officer was lucky that she did not receive more serious injuries and added that she was "doing okay" as of Tuesday morning.
A search for the suspect in the alleged hit-and-run accident resulted in the arrest late Monday night of Deirk Keitt, 21, of Medford, police said.
He was charged with second-degree assault and leaving the scene of an accident.
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