NEW YORK, NY — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Gilbert Augustin was arraigned on charges of manslaughter and assault as hate crimes in connection to the death of 66-year-old Jasmer Singh. The fatal attack followed a minor car collision in Kew Gardens, during which Augustin allegedly referred to Singh as “turban man.” Singh was wearing a turban as part of his Sikh faith.
District Attorney Katz stressed that the incident rapidly escalated from a car accident to fatal violence fueled by hate. She acknowledged the efforts of her office and the NYPD in thoroughly investigating the case.
The 30-year-old Augustin, a resident of 111th Avenue in Jamaica, faces a 20-count indictment that includes manslaughter in the first degree as a hate crime, assault in the second degree as a hate crime, and multiple charges related to unlicensed and reckless driving. If convicted, Augustin could face up to 25 years in prison. Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder has scheduled the next court appearance for December 6.
According to official charges, the incident unfolded on October 19 around 11:50 a.m., when vehicles driven by Singh and Augustin collided on the Van Wyck Expressway. Both men pulled over near 87-34 Van Wyck Expressway to evaluate the damage. A witness recounted that Augustin exited his car and initiated a heated verbal dispute with Singh, who remained in his vehicle.
The witness reported hearing Augustin discourage calling the police and repeatedly refer to Singh as “turban man.” During the altercation, Augustin seized Singh’s cell phone. Singh exited his car to retrieve it. Video surveillance and witness statements confirm that as Singh was returning to his vehicle, Augustin struck him three times in the face and head, resulting in Singh falling backward and sustaining a fatal brain injury. Singh was hospitalized and died the next day.
Augustin fled the scene but was located on October 20 at approximately 1:30 p.m. by an NYPD officer. The black Ford Mustang he was sitting in displayed signs of recent damage. Augustin was arrested after he failed to provide a valid driver’s license or insurance. A check of DMV records confirmed his license was suspended.