Driver charged with manslaughter, DWI in crash that killed NYC DEP employee in Queens

Thursday, July 6, 2023
RICHMOND HILL, Queens (WABC) -- A driver was charged with manslaughter and DWI in connection with a crash in Queens early Thursday that killed a New York City Department of Environmental Protection employee.

Errick Persaud, 24, is charged with vehicular manslaughter, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content above .08, and driving while intoxicated.

The worker who was killed was a passenger in a City-owned vehicle that was traveling on Atlantic Avenue in Richmond Hill around 2:35 a.m. when it was struck by a Mercedes that investigators say Persaud was driving on Lefferts Boulevard.
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The force of the collision caused the City-owned vehicle to flip onto its side, ejecting the 38-year-old passenger. He was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital.

The 40-year-old driver of that vehicle was checked out at the scene and was expected to be okay.

Thursday afternoon, Persaud remained hospitalized for various injuries from the crash.
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"DEP is devastated this morning after one of our own was killed on-duty last night when the DEP truck he was riding in was hit by a car. His co-worker, who was driving, suffered minor injuries," DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala shared in a statement.



"Like so many of our employees, these two sewer maintenance workers were serving our City by ensuring that critical city operations run effectively 24/7. Our hearts go out to the family and our profound gratitude goes out to both men for their service to our city."


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