NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – A drunk driver who struck an 8-year-old girl and her grandmother, as well as multiple cars, before attempting to flee in Queens this week was charged Friday, the district attorney announced.
"As alleged, the defendant drove drunk and, in doing so, endangered the
lives of two pedestrians and other motorists on the road," Queens D.A. Melinda Katz said in a statement.
Alexandra Lopez, 52, was driving a red Toyota RAV 4, when she struck multiple vehicles and pedestrians at the intersection of 68th Street and 31st Avenue in Jackson Heights around 7 p.m. Tuesday, according to prosecutors.
At the scene was a young girl "crying and screaming underneath the front of a nearby parked van with blood on her face, head, and clothing and with scratches on her feet," Katz said.
The victim's grandmother, Maria Polazzo, 74, was found limping with scratches on her feet. She told officers that the two were crossing the street when the red SUV hit them, causing the granddaughter to fall under the van.
After Lopez allegedly struck the two victims, she continued driving and was observed by another victim, Myosha Watson, crossing the double yellow line twice and striking two additional vehicles including Watson's vehicle, a 2018 Honda.
Lopez was charged with vehicular assault, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and other crimes for the multiple collisions.
According to court documents, "the defendant at no time attempted to stop until crashing into a 2020 Hyundai."
Lopez was arrested and brought to the 112th Precinct stationhouse, where she was given a breathalyzer exam that indicated she had a .196 blood-alcohol content, well over the legal limit, prosecutors said.
If convicted, Lopez faces up to 11 years in prison.
