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