NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A Queens man was indicted on Tuesday on charges he fatally hit a 75-year-old woman with his truck while she was legally crossing the street last month, prosecutors said.
The suspect, Rony Zino, 27, is being charged with criminally negligent homicide for the death of Linda Lee Hirsch in Ridgewood.
The incident was caught on surveillance footage on Oct. 11, which captured the moment Zino, driving a Dodge Ram pickup truck, hesitated after a traffic light change before turning onto Fresh Pond Road where he hit Hirsch, who had the right of way as she used a walker in the crosswalk.
Hirsch was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery but died of her injuries nine days later.
"We have too often seen the tragic results of reckless driving when motorists ignore the rules of the road," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said. "It is incumbent upon anyone who gets behind the wheel to follow the law, including yielding to pedestrians. We will hold this defendant accountable for his actions."
Zino appeared before the court on a six-count indictment that includes failure to yield, failing to signal, failure to exercise due care, and reckless driving.
If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison.
He is expected to return to court on Dec. 8.