Erik Chimborazo Hit With Multiple Charges Following 2-Car Crash That Killed Lyft Driver In Maspeth, Queens
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A tragic crash in Queens claimed the life of a father working for a for-hire car service early Sunday morning, and police say the other driver should have never been behind the wheel.
Mohammed Hossain, a 47-year-old Lyft driver, was finishing up his shift and about to drop off his last passenger when police say the married father of three was struck and killed by a drunk driver in Maspeth, CBS2's Hazel Sanchez reported.
Hossain's relatives, who gathered at his home Borough Park, Brooklyn, were devastated.
"We still can't believe that this has happened, and we just don't know where to go from here," brother-in-law Rezaul Rahman said.
Police say just before 4 a.m. Hossain, who was traveling with a passenger inside his Toyota RAV4, was driving southbound on Fresh Pond Road when he was t-boned by a Ford Explorer. Police said the 22-year-old driver, identified as Erik Chimborazo of Brooklyn, was speeding and drunk.
"I heard the crash. I heard the screech. I heard the crash," said Diane Laveglia of Middle Village.
Hossain's SUV landed right outside Laveglia's bedroom window. His passenger suffered a broken leg.
"It was a horrific sound and then I looked out my window and there were people running. It was 3:30 in the morning, but people were running," Laveglia said.
People who live near the intersection said, sadly, they're not surprised by the tragedy.
"This intersection has become a horror show. There's accidents weekly," said Arline Ehlers of Middle Village.
"They have to put speed bumps because people try to beat the light, coming and going. It's a busy intersection," Laveglia said.
Police say the driver who hit Hossain has been charged with drunk driving, driving without a license, and driving a vehicle without insurance or an inspection certificate.
"We are heartbroken by this incident. Our hearts are with the driver's loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, and we are ready to assist law enforcement however we can," Lyft said in a statement.
Hossain's family said that young man's decision to drink and get behind the wheel has destroyed a young family.
"He just loves family. He came over here to make sure that he was able to provide for his children that he was having at the time and to make sure they were well off over here," Rahman said.
Hossain's family said they were planning to take a vacation together. Now, they're planning a funeral and looking for ways to support a wife and children Hossain left behind. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Hossain family. Please click here.