03/07/2013 // New York, NY, USA // New York Injury Accident Lawyer // Jonathan C. Reiter // (press release)
Queens – An 18 year old driver of a Toyota minivan, collided with a car in Queens, then fled the scene of the crash, only to crash a second time moments later into a nearby day care center which was located directly across the street from where his first victims lived. The day care center was unoccupied at the time of the second crash. This incident occurred in Forest Hills, Queens, on March 3, 2013. The driver of the minivan, identified as Steven Rodriguez, struck a vehicle in which Sal Giordano of Glendale was traveling with his 13-year old nephew at the intersection of Woodhaven Blvd. and Union Turnpike. The minivan immediately ran from the scene of the first accident, and crashed into a building several blocks away on 82nd Street. Mr. Rodriguez was apprehended. Mr. Giordano complained of knee pain at the scene of the collision and his nephew complained of head trauma and trauma to his eye. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Mr. Rodriguez was overheard after the second crash stating that his brakes jammed after that crash. The New York City Police Department is investigating both crashes.
According to New York car accident attorney, Jonathan C. Reiter, who has handled many hit and run accident cases in NY and surrounding areas, the fact that the minivan ran from the site of the first accident is in clear violation of New York State’s hit-and-run statutes, which make it a felony to leave the scene of a serious accident. Mr. Reiter stated: “This intersection of Woodhaven Blvd. and Union Turnpike in Queens is one of the busiest intersections in New York City, requiring a driver to exercise caution in the operation of his vehicle due to high traffic volume. This area is known as highly dangerous. The inference that is permitted by a driver leaving the scene is clear awareness of guilt in causing the accident.” Mr. Reiter went on to state: “That this young teenager ran from the scene, only to have a crash seconds later into a building housing a day care center could have led to untold serious consequences to many occupants of the center. It was a stroke of pure luck that the center was unoccupied at the time of the second crash.” Mr. Reiter then explained liability as follows: “Mr. Rodriguez, as the driver of the minivan is clearly liable for this accident. His alleged statement that his brakes ‘jammed’ following the second crash are completely irrelevant to his causing the first accident. Fortunately, no one was injured in the second crash.”
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