QUEENS, NY – Rony Zino, a 27-year-old resident of Flushing, was arraigned today on charges relating to the death of 75-year-old pedestrian Linda Lee Hirsch. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the indictment, which includes criminally negligent homicide, following an incident in Ridgewood.
On October 11, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Zino, driving a 2020 Dodge Ram pickup, allegedly hit Hirsch at the intersection of 60th Road and Fresh Pond Road. Video surveillance indicates that Zino waited seven seconds after the light turned green before turning northbound onto Fresh Pond Road, where he struck Hirsch. The elderly woman, using a walker and having the right of way, suffered severe injuries from the collision, including a head injury after falling to the pavement.
Hirsch, a resident of Seale, Alabama, received emergency medical treatment and underwent surgery but succumbed to her injuries on October 20.
The six-count indictment against Zino includes two counts of failure to yield, failure to signal, failure to exercise due care, reckless driving, and criminally negligent homicide. If convicted, Zino faces up to 4 years in prison.
Queens District Attorney Katz emphasized the importance of adhering to road safety rules, stating drivers need to yield to pedestrians. The case, highlighting issues of reckless driving in urban areas, brings to the forefront the ongoing concerns over pedestrian safety.
Zino is scheduled to return to the Queens Supreme Court on December 8, as ordered by Justice Stephanie Zaro.
