Alleged drunk driver in crash that critically injured crossing guard appears in court
Joshua Alvarado's bail was set at $500,000, and his driver's license was suspended
MERRICK, Long Island (WABC) -- The driver accused of being drunk and on drugs when he hit a school crossing guard was arraigned on Friday.
Police say 30-year-old Joshua Alvarado fell asleep at the wheel of his 2020 Toyota pickup truck while stopped at a light on Sunrise Highway in Merrick Thursday morning.
Officers believe another driver woke him up by honking their horn, but say when Alvarado hit the gas, he lost control of his truck, hitting John Miro, a 70-year-old school crossing guard.
According to the criminal complaint, Alvarado made a left turn onto Merrick Avenue, drove onto the curb and struck the victim, who suffered severe injuries, including broken ribs, a collapsed lung, a skull fracture and a brain bleed.
Miro was taken to Nassau University Medical Center in critical condition, and is in intensive care.
Miro's family members watched the court proceedings Friday in tears.
"One of nicest people you'll ever meet. He got ran over shoveling snow after he crossed some kids across the road, and it's just not right. And we're glad. We hope this guy burns," said one family member.
Miro had been working as a crossing guard since 2023, a second career after working as a tugboat operator.
Union reps were also in court.
"For somebody now at 70 to come back and say, I want to just stand out there in all those conditions, the weather, the rain, the traffic, you can tell how good of a person he is because it takes a lot of courage for someone to want to do that," said Kris Kalender, president of CSEA Local 830.
Alvarado was arraigned on charges of assault and driving while impaired by drugs.
Alvarado had glassy, constricted pupils, and stated that he took Xanax, Tramadol and Clonazepam, according to the criminal complaint. He submitted to a chemical test of his blood.
He said he took drugs at 10 p.m. the night before to help him sleep.
Alvarado's attorney says he has PTSD stemming from an assault 10 years ago.
"He is beside himself. They're trying to paint them out into this drug head career criminal. He's not. This is a terrible accident," said Alvarado's attorney George Vomvolakis.
Alvarado works as an exterminator and was driving his work vehicle to the Wantagh Inn
His bail was set at $500,000, and his driver's license was suspended.
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