NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A 55-year-old man was indicted for fatally punching his coworker outside the Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square hotel in June, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced Wednesday.
Jaime Rosario, a Yonkers resident, was charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
According to court documents, at approximately 2 p.m. on June 17, Efrain Patino Guerra, 53, worked as a taxi dispatcher and was assigning rides outside of the Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square hotel in Midtown when Rosario approached and confronted him over a dispute on the assignment of rides.
As Patino Guerra attempted to walk away, Rosario followed and yelled at him and eventually punched Patino Guerra once in the jaw, causing him to fall to the sidewalk and hit the back of his head.
Rosario fled the scene, leaving Patino Guerra lying on the sidewalk.
A few minutes later, emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene and transported Patino Guerra to Bellevue Hospital where he underwent multiple surgeries but never regained consciousness. He died because of his traumatic brain injury on June 27, prosecutors said.
Rosario was arrested on June 24 by the NYPD Warrants Squad.
"As alleged, Jaime Rosario punched and critically injured Efrain Patino Guerra in a brutal attack over a work-related dispute," D.A. Bragg said. "Unfortunately, Mr. Patino Guerra succumbed to his injuries and was tragically taken from his family, friends and loved ones. I thank our prosecutors for securing upgraded charges, which are indicative of the seriousness of the conduct alleged, and my thoughts remain with Mr. Patino Guerra’s family as they continue mourning his loss."