QUEENS, N.Y. – A Bronx motorist has been convicted of first-degree assault and a string of other charges after prosecutors said he led police on a high-speed chase through Astoria, blew through 25 red lights and 14 stop signs and slammed into an e-bike rider who suffered devastating head injuries.
Harold Vega, 48, was convicted Friday following a jury trial in Queens Supreme Court, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced. The July 2024 pursuit ended after Vega struck 39-year-old father Arturo Aguirre Matias, continued driving, crashed into a parked car and tried to escape on foot, according to prosecutors and trial testimony.
Matias was riding legally in a designated bike lane with a green light when Vega struck him with enough force to throw him into the air, prosecutors said. The victim suffered severe head trauma and continues to experience a permanent, severe speech impairment and debilitating seizures.
Key Points
- Harold Vega was convicted of first-degree assault and numerous other charges stemming from the July 2024 Astoria pursuit.
- Prosecutors said Vega ran 25 red lights and 14 stop signs, drove against traffic and onto sidewalks before striking an e-bike rider.
- Vega faces a cumulative sentence exceeding 25 years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 16.
High-Speed Chase Tears Through Astoria
The incident began at approximately 4:33 p.m. July 3, 2024, near 36th Avenue and 21st Street in Astoria.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, an officer in an unmarked patrol vehicle noticed that the license plate on Vega’s gray 2003 Nissan Altima was obscured by a tinted cover. Further investigation showed the plate belonged to another vehicle.
The officer activated emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to make a traffic stop. Vega initially paused before making an illegal U-turn and speeding away, according to prosecutors.
What followed was a pursuit through a busy residential area. Trial evidence showed Vega accelerated through 25 additional steady red lights and 14 stop signs while driving against traffic, crossing double yellow lines, weaving through vehicles and driving onto sidewalks.
“This defendant led police on a high-speed chase,” Katz said. “He defied instructions by the police to pull over for more than 10 minutes all while blowing through traffic signals and stop signs.”
E-Bike Rider Thrown Into Air, Left With Lasting Injuries
The pursuit reached 31st Avenue and Crescent Street, where Matias was riding his electric bicycle across Crescent Street.
Prosecutors said Matias was inside the designated bike lane, traveling with traffic and had a green signal in his favor.
Vega drove through the red light and struck Matias, throwing him into the air before the cyclist crashed to the ground, according to the district attorney’s account of the evidence.
“He hit a cyclist who was obeying the rules of the road and left his victim in perilous condition, with severe head trauma that still affects his health and future to this day,” Katz said.
Matias required extensive hospitalization and continues to need medical treatment. Prosecutors said his injuries include a permanent and severe speech impairment and debilitating seizures.
Vega did not stop after hitting Matias, according to trial testimony. He continued driving until crashing into a parked vehicle with enough force to deploy his Nissan’s airbags.
Good Samaritans Help Stop Vega Before Arrest
After the crash, Vega got out and ran, prosecutors said.
Good Samaritans confronted him near 24th Drive and 23rd Street and thwarted his attempted escape until police caught up with him, according to the district attorney’s office.
Police found a glassine envelope containing cocaine in Vega’s pants pocket during his arrest, prosecutors said. Investigators also determined his driver’s license was suspended and the vehicle he was driving was unregistered and uninsured.
Vega was convicted of first-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree assault, second-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, leaving the scene of an accident without reporting and resisting arrest.
The jury also convicted him on drug possession, reckless driving and multiple licensing, registration and insurance-related offenses.
Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis ordered Vega to return for sentencing Sept. 16. He faces a cumulative prison sentence exceeding 25 years, according to prosecutors.
What was Harold Vega convicted of?
A Queens jury convicted Vega of first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, fleeing police, leaving an accident scene, resisting arrest and several other offenses.
What happened to Arturo Aguirre Matias?
Prosecutors said Matias suffered severe head trauma after Vega struck his e-bike. He continues to experience a permanent severe speech impairment and debilitating seizures.
How much prison time does Harold Vega face?
The Queens District Attorney’s Office said Vega faces a cumulative sentence exceeding 25 years in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 16.
