Upper West Side Driver Indicted in Fatal Drunk-Driving Crash

The Manhattan driver accused of causing the fatal drunk-driving crash that killed two young fathers and injured three others on Amsterdam Avenue earlier this year has been indicted on aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges.

A Manhattan grand jury indicted Elvin Suarez, 61, on five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, two counts of second-degree manslaughter, three counts of aggravated vehicular assault and several assault and driving while intoxicated charges in connection with the May 15 crash near West 109th Street, according to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors allege Suarez was driving north on Amsterdam Avenue at a high rate of speed shortly before 6 p.m. when he struck an unoccupied parked vehicle between West 107th and West 108th streets. He allegedly continued through the intersection at West 109th Street, drove over the median separating the bike lane from the roadway and struck four pedestrians before crashing into an occupied parked vehicle.

The crash killed Jason Negron, 46, a doorman who had worked for two decades at 545 W. 110th St., and Michael Saint-Hilaire, 35, the father of nearly 2-year-old triplets. Three other victims survived but suffered serious injuries, prosecutors said. A 44-year-old man sustained an open fracture to his right leg, a 36-year-old man suffered back fractures and a 51-year-old man, who was inside the parked vehicle that was struck, suffered injuries to his head, neck and shoulder.

”As alleged, Elvin Suarez’s decision to drive while intoxicated had devastating and entirely preventable consequences,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. “Three men were significantly injured, and Jason Negron and Michael Saint-Hilaire—devoted fathers, loyal friends, and beloved members of their Upper West Side community—were killed.”

Following the May 15 crash, neighbors erected a memorial of flowers and candles at the corner of Amsterdam Avenue and West 109th Street, where Negron and Saint-Hilaire were killed. Community members also raised tens of thousands of dollars through online fundraisers to support their families.

According to New York State court records, Suarez is scheduled to appear next in Manhattan Supreme Court on Oct. 28 before Justice Gregory Carro.

Suarez is represented by attorney Lawrence Martin Fisher. Fisher did not respond to a request for comment. The charges are allegations, and Suarez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.