NEW YORK, NY (QUEENS D.A. PRESS RELEASE) – Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz today announced that Tyshawn Baldwin, 28, has been charged with assault, reckless endangerment, unlawful fleeing of police officers and other crimes for the hit-and-run collision that injured three pedestrians, including a mother and toddler inside a stroller, in Ridgewood, Queens on August 10, 2022. The defendant allegedly struck the pedestrians upon fleeing a traffic stop for parking at an intersection as well as having a loud exhaust and dark tinted windows. He was also allegedly driving with a suspended license.
District Attorney Katz said, “The complete disregard for public safety in this case is shameful. As alleged, the defendant was operating a vehicle with a suspended license when he struck and injured three pedestrians, including a young child – all while callously fleeing a traffic stop. Driving is a privilege and every single person who gets behind the wheel of a car bears an individual responsibility to drive safely. The defendant now faces very serious charges.”
Baldwin, of Classon Avenue in Brooklyn, was arraigned today before Queens Criminal Court Judge Scott Dunn on a 17-count complaint charging him with assault in the first and second degrees, reckless endangerment in the first and second degrees, unlawful fleeing a police officer, obstructing governmental administration, endangering the welfare of a child, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, parking within an intersection and driving by unlicensed operator. Judge Dunn ordered the defendant to return to Court on August 19, 2022. If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 25 years in prison.
District Attorney Katz said, according to the criminal charges, on August 10, 2022, at approximately 5:00 p.m. at the intersection of Wyckoff Avenue and Decatur Street, the defendant was driving a 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat with a loud exhaust and dark rear tinted windows. Officers from the 104th Precinct observed defendant Baldwin proceed to the busy commercial intersection of Wyckoff Avenue and George Street and park the vehicle. At this point, the officers activated their police lights and ordered the defendant back inside the car. Baldwin is said to have complied and provided his driver’s license and registration to the officers.
According to the complaint, upon running a computer check, the patrol officers determined that the defendant’s license was suspended on August 3, 2021 and subsequently ordered Baldwin to step out of the vehicle. The defendant allegedly started the car, revved the engine, refused numerous commands to stop and drove the Dodge Durango at a high rate of speed away from the intersection, striking three pedestrians.
The three pedestrians, including a two-year-old child and mother, sustained numerous injuries, and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.