Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of KYLE FERNANDEZ, 20, for injuring seven people, including two children, outside of Grand Central Station when he struck multiple pedestrians and a bicyclist while operating a stolen vehicle with his ability impaired by drugs. FERNANDEZ is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with seven counts of Assault in the Second Degree; one count of Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree and two counts of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, among other charges. [1] 

“As alleged, this driver injured seven people and put the safety of many other New Yorkers at risk as he recklessly careened throughout Midtown during rush hour. I am wishing all the victims in this incident a quick and speedy recovery from their injuries,” said District Attorney Bragg. 

According to court documents and statements made on the record, on August 1, 2023, at approximately 5:30 p.m., FERNANDEZ – who had consumed drugs that day – drove past NYPD officers who ran his license plate and determined that the vehicle was reported stolen two days earlier. 

When officers attempted to pull him over at approximately East 44th Street and 2nd Avenue, FERNANDEZ sped away, driving through a red light, and turned the wrong way on a one-way street towards Grand Central Station, where he struck a bicyclist. 

At the intersection of Lexington Avenue and East 42nd Street, FERNANDEZ allegedly drove onto the sidewalk to avoid vehicles stopped at a red light, crashing into another vehicle and striking multiple pedestrians. He then made a U-turn and hit additional pedestrians before finally crashing into a second car, which caused his airbags to deploy. 

FERNANDEZ climbed out of his car and started to flee on foot before he was stopped by several bystanders. One victim’s ankle was broken, and while another victim’s pelvis was fractured. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant. D.A. Meaghan Dunigan, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.’s Harrison Schweiloch and Annie Seigel (Deputy Bureau Chiefs of Trial Bureau 60), Charles Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD’s 17th precinct. 

DEFENDANT INFORMATION: 

Kyle Fernandez 

New York, New York 

Charged: 

• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, seven counts 
• Reckless Endangerment in the First Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, a class E felony, two counts 
• Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, a class E felony, one count 
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, eight counts
• Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
• Operating a Vehicle While Ability Impaired by Drugs, one count 
• Reckless Driving, one count

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.