HAUPPAUGE (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A Long Island woman was indicted on Wednesday after allegedly crashing into a bicyclist racing in a triathlon race in August, prosecutors said.
Jakeline Figueroa, 29, on Aug. 6 was driving a Nissan when she allegedly hit the victim, 44, while speeding in the parking lot of Smith Point Beach where the victim was competing in a triathlon, according to the indictment.
Figueroa, at the time of the crash, was driving with a suspended license and without a previously court-ordered ignition interlock device.
Witnesses allegedly saw Figueroa driving through a marked travel lane in the parking lot at a fast rate. She hit the victim when she drove through a stop bar on the pavement and into the portion of the parking lot that was designated for the race.
The victim was thrown off his bike upon the impact of the crash landing on the windshield of Figueroa's car and hitting the pavement.
The victim was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital.
He was admitted with a traumatic brain injury and a cervical spine fracture.
"This assault could have been avoided," Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney said. "There was no need for this defendant to allegedly drive while speeding inside of a parking lot even if there was not a race taking place. Motorists must always remain cautious and prudent while driving to avoid endangering the lives of pedestrians."
Figueroa was indicted for assault, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, circumvention of an interlock device and speeding.
Figueroa is on supervised release and her license has been suspended.
