In the heart of the Bronx (NYC), Armel Daniel, a man purportedly associated with the Crips gang, was detained on charges of absconding on foot post a vehicular accident that left a newborn critically injured.
In a tragic accident on the afternoon of June 6, the infant was left with severe brain damage. The vehicle she was in, a Hyundai SUV, rolled over after being hit by the driver of a black Cadillac CTS, allegedly driven by Daniel. The 32-year-old was apprehended five weeks post the incident and is now facing charges of fleeing the scene and driving without a valid license.
The SUV was under the control of a 25-year-old woman, speculated to be the baby’s mother, who lost control of the wheel upon the impact of the collision. The accident happened under the Castle Hill Ave. overpass, with both vehicles moving southbound on the Bruckner Expressway, according to NYPD. The impact caused the SUV to crash into a barrier, leading to its overturning.
Nikia McCarter, the victim’s aunt, expressed her gratitude towards the law enforcement officers in a statement to the Daily News. “The police did their duty, and they found a suspect. Thank you,” she said. “So now he will be held accountable for his actions. And that’s what we appreciate.”
Post the collision, Daniel, identified as a Crips gang member by the police, abandoned his vehicle on the highway just a few miles away and fled on foot. His accomplice also absconded from the scene. In the ensuing manhunt, the police deployed K9 units to trace the suspects.
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Emergency services promptly extracted the infant from the wrecked Hyundai. The child was found in a state of respiratory arrest and was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center in critical condition. Meanwhile, the woman who was driving the SUV, despite the crash, did not sustain any severe injuries.
“The baby is still in the hospital…she’s still fighting for her life because [she has] a brain injury. We’re just praying that she can get through this and become a normal child, hopefully,” McCarter added, highlighting the grim situation the baby is in.
Further complicating the investigation, a law enforcement source stated that the Cadillac might have changed ownership recently. However, this sale was not documented, leaving a gap in the trail of evidence.
While all charges at this stage are mere allegations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty in court, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the city’s zero-tolerance policy towards reckless driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.