UTICA, NY – A man was left with broken bones and serious injuries after a street confrontation escalated into chaos, ending with a 26-year-old driver allegedly slamming into him with her car in what police are calling an intentional act of violence.
The incident unfolded on Saturday, August 3, on the 1800 block of Bleecker Street where the victim had reportedly been involved in a heated dispute involving rocks and bricks being hurled at passing vehicles.
As tensions flared, Yailowa Martinez-Torres of Utica allegedly got behind the wheel and used her car to strike the man during the altercation.
The victim was rushed to Wynn Hospital, where doctors discovered multiple broken bones and severe contusions sustained from the impact.
Following a nearly two-week investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division, Martinez-Torres was tracked down on Thursday with help from the department’s Warrants Unit and arrested on three felony charges including first-degree assault.
According to investigators, the incident appeared to escalate rapidly from verbal confrontation to physical violence before culminating in the vehicular attack. Martinez-Torres is also facing charges of criminal mischief and criminal possession of a weapon, which officials say stem from the use of her vehicle as a weapon in the attack.
Police have not yet released the name or current condition of the victim but say the investigation remains ongoing as they review surveillance footage and interview witnesses.
Martinez-Torres is expected to appear in court for arraignment this week.
Police have not confirmed if additional individuals involved in the rock-throwing may also face charges.
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Key Points
- A man was seriously injured after being struck by a car during a street dispute in Utica on August 3
- Yailowa Martinez-Torres, 26, has been charged with assault, criminal mischief, and weapon possession
- The confrontation began with rocks and bricks being thrown before escalating into an intentional vehicle attack