Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Ryan Rampersaud was indicted on charges of vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and driving under the influence for a January 2026 collision that killed Blanca Arias-Miranda in Astoria, who was operating a scooter.

District Attorney Katz said: “As alleged, the defendant was driving while intoxicated, barreled into a scooter operated by Blanca Arias-Miranda and killed the 54-year-old mother of four. Tragically, the victim had the right of way and was in a designated bike lane when she was struck by this defendant. Our roadways must be safe for all who use them, including pedestrians, bicyclists and scooter operators. The defendant’s actions have forever changed the lives of Ms. Arias-Miranda’s family, and we will aggressively prosecute this case.”

Rampersaud, 30, of Jamaica, was arraigned yesterday on a four-count indictment charging him with vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, criminally negligent homicide and two counts of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Queens Supreme Court Michael J. Hartofilis ordered him to return to court on March 26. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.

DA Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, on January 4, at approximately 1:40 a.m., Rampersaud was driving a 2009 Honda Civic southbound on Crescent Street in Astoria when he made a left turn at the intersection of 30^th Drive. He failed to yield to oncoming traffic and struck 54-year-old Blanca Arias-Miranda, who was operating a standing scooter in a designated bike lane and had the right of way.

Arias-Miranda was thrown to the pavement and passing pedestrians called 911. When police arrived, Rampersaud was at the scene and his car had visible damage.

The victim was immediately transported to a local hospital with severe brain trauma and was pronounced deceased two days later because of her injuries.

Rampersaud allegedly showed signs of intoxication including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, unsteadiness on his feet, and a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on his breath. There was vomit on the front seat of his car.

He was transported to the 112^th Precinct at approximately 3:58 a.m. and refused to submit to a breathalyzer test. At approximately 8:20 a.m., the defendant had a court-ordered blood test which showed a blood alcohol level of .12 percent, which is above the legal threshold of .08 percent.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Cox of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Homicide Unit is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Angel I. Semerdzhiev under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Selkowe, Unit Chief and Deputy Homicide Bureau Chief, and Assistant District Attorney John Kosinski, Homicide Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.