Driver high on cocaine kills 1-year-old in stroller in Queens, NYC

A pickup truck driver with cocaine in his system ran a stop sign in Queens and struck a stroller, killing a 1-year-old boy. The suspect had an open DWI case from April.

Cocaine-impaired driver kills toddler in Queens stroller crash

A 57-year-old pickup truck driver with cocaine and THC in his system ran a stop sign in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Queens on Sunday morning and struck a nanny pushing a stroller, killing the 1-year-old boy inside, the Queens District Attorney's Office announced. NY Post Metro reports that the suspect, Elvin Rivera, also carried an open DWI case from a separate Bronx incident in April.

Rivera allegedly drove his white Chevrolet Silverado through a stop sign on 32nd Avenue at around 8:30 a.m. before colliding with the nanny and the stroller carrying Justin Hu. Emergency services transported both victims to a nearby hospital, where Justin was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The nanny sustained an injury to her right arm.

Rivera remained at the scene and subsequently failed a field sobriety test, according to prosecutors. Toxicology results showed traces of cocaine and THC in his system.

Queens DA Melinda Katz described the loss as "heartbreaking" and said it was "completely avoidable." "Tragically, innocent victims are killed every day in this county due to drugged and reckless driving, and my office will aggressively seek justice for Justin Hu and his family," Katz said in a statement.

At his arraignment Monday, Rivera was charged with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, assault, motor vehicle under the influence, driving while impaired, reckless driving, and driving without a license. He pleaded not guilty. Judge Michael Katz remanded Rivera and ordered him held without bail.

If convicted on the top charge, Rivera faces up to 15 years in prison. An attorney for Rivera did not respond to a request for comment. Rivera is due back in Queens Criminal Court on October 19.

Source: NY Post Metro