Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., announced today the indictment of JONATHAN VALENTIN, 26, for causing a car crash that injured approximately 20 people in Inwood, including an 11-year-old girl who recently had her right leg amputated as a result of her injuries.

VALENTIN is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Leaving the Scene of An Incident Without Reporting, Causing Serious Physical Injury, ten counts of Assault in the Third Degree and other violations of Vehicle and Traffic Law.

“An 11-year-old has suffered life changing injuries as a result of this defendant’s alleged reckless behavior,” said District Attorney Bragg. “After crashing into another car and causing that car to plow through the front of a crowded restaurant, injuring about 20 people, he immediately fled the scene in an attempt to evade responsibility. We will continue to fully investigate incidents of serious traffic violence and hold irresponsible drivers accountable.”

According to court documents and statements made on the record, at approximately 9:00 p.m. on January 2, VALENTIN accelerated out of a gas station and crashed into an Uber car on Broadway just north of 204^th Street. The collision caused the Uber to careen into a packed restaurant, injuring approximately 20 people. In addition to injuring an 11-year-old, a one-year-old toddler sustained a broken foot. The Uber driver was also injured, and his car was damaged.

VALENTIN, whose license was already revoked in New York, fled the scene to New Jersey.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant D.A. Yuval Simchi-Levi, under the supervision of Harrison Schweiloch and Annie Siegel (Deputy Chiefs of the Trial Bureau 60), Charles Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60), and Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division), in consultation with the Chief of the Vehicular Crimes Unit, Jill Hoexter. Assistant D.A. Constantine Coritsidis and paralegals George Nighswander and Alexander Fogg all assisted with the investigation.

D.A. Bragg thanked Det. James Marcinek of the 34^th Precinct and the entire 34th Police Precinct, Police Officer Justin Schwarz and Captain Mark Savino of the Emerson, New Jersey Police Department.

Defendant Information:
JONATHAN VALENTIN
Maywood, New Jersey

Charged:

• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, ten counts
• Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Causing Serious Physical Injury, one count
• Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Causing Physical Injury, one count
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Second Degree, one count
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, one count
• Leaving the Scene of an Incident Without Reporting Causing Property Damage, one count

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