BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – A Long Island man has been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for causing a devastating wrong-way crash in East Williamsburg that left a 28-year-old woman paralyzed from the neck down.
Virgilio Rodriguez, 51, of Rockville Center, was under the influence of PCP and marijuana when the crash occurred in 2021, leading to his conviction on aggravated vehicular assault and other charges.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez condemned Rodriguez’s reckless behavior, stating that his decision to drive impaired resulted in “catastrophic injuries” and a lifetime of suffering for the victim. The collision occurred when Rodriguez, speeding and running a red light, drove the wrong way down a one-way street and struck an Uber vehicle carrying two passengers.
Following the crash, Rodriguez exited his vehicle and exhibited erratic behavior, stripping down in the street and shouting before attempting to flee the scene. Police arrested him after finding drugs in his vehicle.
One of the Uber passengers was critically injured and has since required continuous medical care.
Rodriguez was sentenced by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Eugene Guarino after being convicted in a jury trial last month.