Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Luis Saula Quindi was arraigned on charges of aggravated vehicular assault, driving while under the influence and related traffic violations for pinning two pedestrians under his Honda sedan on Sunday night. Quindi allegedly struck a 72-year-old man and 13-year-old girl at the intersection of 102^nd Street and Martense Avenue in Corona after speeding past a stop sign and hitting a parked car.

District Attorney Katz said: “The privilege of driving demands the responsibility of maintaining a valid license, obeying all traffic laws and operating a vehicle in a manner that is safe and responsible. As alleged, this defendant failed in every way and jeopardized two lives with his decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol. Two people were left seriously injured and the defendant will be held responsible for his choices.”

Saula Quindi, 40, of 48^th Street in Astoria, was arraigned yesterday on a felony complaint charging him with three counts of aggravated vehicular assault, three counts of vehicular assault in the first degree, two counts of assault in the second degree, two counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs/aggravated, reckless driving and related charges before Queens Criminal Court Judge Glenda Hernandez. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 15 years in prison. The defendant was ordered to return to court on September 19.

DA Katz said that, according to the charges, on September 14, at approximately 8:05 p.m., Saula Quindi was driving a 2013 Honda Accord south on 102^nd Street in Corona at high speed. He failed to stop at a stop sign at the corner of 102^nd Street and Martense Avenue and hit a parked Nissan sedan.

The defendant then drove onto the sidewalk and allegedly hit two pedestrians, a 72-year-old man and a 13-year-old girl, pinning the victims beneath his car.

Emergency responders transported both victims to local hospitals for treatment of severe body trauma. The 72-year-old man required surgery to his left leg for a fractured shin and knee as well as a serious shoulder injury. The 13-year-old girl required surgery on her abdomen and leg.

The defendant was arrested at the scene of the collision. He had a blood alcohol content of .25 percent, which was above the legal threshold of .08 percent.

A computer check revealed the defendant’s driver’s license was suspended.

The investigation was conducted by Officer Justin Elder of the NYPD’s 110^th Precinct.

Assistant District Attorney Vivian Gonzalez of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Homicide Unit is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Mathew Hauszpigel under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Jonathan Selkowe, Unit Chief of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Homicide Unit and Deputy Bureau Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and John Kosinski, Bureau Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.