QUEENS, NY – A South Ozone Park man has been indicted for manslaughter, assault, and other crimes in the death of construction flagger Isabel Alvarez, who was struck and killed while working on the Nassau Expressway in September.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the charges against 25-year-old Daveanand Budhai, who allegedly fled the scene after the deadly crash and later called 911 to report his own injuries.
Prosecutors say Budhai’s license was suspended at the time of the incident.
Key Points
- Daveanand Budhai indicted on manslaughter, assault, and hit-and-run charges in fatal construction zone crash
- Victim Isabel Alvarez, 44, was killed while directing traffic on Nassau Expressway
- Budhai allegedly fled the scene and later called police from a nearby location
Fatal crash in active construction zone
According to prosecutors, the crash occurred around 7:30 a.m. on September 19 as Budhai drove an Infiniti sedan eastbound on the Nassau Expressway at a high rate of speed. When approaching Exit 1N, which connects to the Van Wyck Expressway, he entered an active construction area where the left lane was closed and marked with traffic drums and warning signs.
Investigators said Budhai struck multiple traffic drums before hitting Alvarez, 44, who was wearing a hard hat and reflective vest and holding a “STOP/SLOW” paddle to direct vehicles through the zone.
The impact reportedly threw Alvarez more than 160 feet. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Suspect fled, later called 911 for help
After the collision, Budhai allegedly continued driving, exiting the expressway about a mile away before stopping near 134th Street and South Conduit Avenue. He called 911 to report hand injuries but did not initially acknowledge hitting anyone, authorities said.
Responding officers found his vehicle with extensive front-end damage, a shattered windshield, and fluorescent residue consistent with Alvarez’s safety vest.
Facing up to 22 years if convicted
Budhai was arraigned on an eight-count indictment charging him with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, aggravated unlicensed operation, reckless driving, and related offenses.
He faces up to 22 years in prison if convicted.
Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis ordered Budhai to return to court on January 8.
District Attorney Katz said Alvarez’s death “could have been avoided” if the defendant had followed the rules of the road, adding that her office “will hold drivers accountable who endanger workers and the public.”
