NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — A Brooklyn man has been indicted on homicide and other related charges in connection with a fatal drunk driving crash in December 2020.
Jason Bical, 35, of Bergen Beach, was arraigned Tuesday on an 11-count indictment charging him with aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, criminal possession of a controlled substance, operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, operating a motor vehicle while impaired by combined use of drugs or of alcohol and drugs and reckless driving.
According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, the incident on Dec. 9, 2020 began at 1 a.m. when the victim, 63-year-old Taher Ali Hassan, was involved in a minor car crash on the Belt Parkway with another motorist.
Hassan exited his vehicle and moments later, was struck by a white 2017 Chevrolet Malibu allegedly driven by Bical.
The victim was rushed to Jamaica Hospital with severe head trauma and died of his injuries the next day.
Authorities said Bical remained at the scene and took a breathalyzer test revealing his blood alcohol level was .174 – twice the legal limit.
Further toxicology reports showed Bical also allegedly had both cocaine and marijuana in his system at the time of the crash.
DA Katz said crash data recorded allegedly revealed Bical was also driving at 92 mph just five seconds before he struck Hassan. The posted speed limit on the Belt Parkway is 50 mph.
“Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs unacceptable. The defendant in this case was allegedly intoxicated and driving at speeds up to 92 mph when he struck a person on the Belt Parkway,” DA Katz said. “A family is now mourning a loved one’s untimely and needless death. We must do better. All drivers need to be mindful that they share the roads with other motorist and bear a responsibility to be safe and sober.”
Bical was ordered to return to court on Dec. 9. He faces up to 25 years in prison, if convicted.
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