QUEENS, NY – A man accused of fatally striking a pedestrian in Ridgewood in 2022 and then setting fire to the vehicle to destroy evidence has been extradited from Germany to face prosecution in Queens, District Attorney Melinda Katz announced.
The defendant, identified as Florin Stoian, also known as Slaco Razmias or Slavco Rostas, 25, was arraigned on an 11-count indictment charging him with manslaughter, arson, evidence tampering, and related crimes. Authorities say Stoian hit 74-year-old Be Tran while driving a rented BMW X6 at high speed on Myrtle Avenue near Hancock Street, then fled the scene and torched the car less than a mile away.
According to prosecutors, the August 14, 2022, crash occurred when Stoian crossed a double yellow line to pass traffic and swerved back into his lane, striking Tran as the victim crossed the street. Tran suffered fatal head and body trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene. Hours later, residents awoke to an explosion as the abandoned BMW erupted in flames, damaging two other cars, nearby homes, and electrical wiring. Investigators later determined the fire was deliberately set to destroy evidence.
International search leads to extradition
Investigators identified Stoian, who had fled the country under an alias, and traced him to Germany, where he was in custody on another matter. Working with federal partners and the U.S. Marshals Service, Stoian was extradited to New York and arraigned before Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis. He was ordered held without bail and is due back in court April 2.
DA Katz said, “Rather than face the consequences of his actions, this defendant allegedly destroyed evidence by setting his vehicle on fire and fled the country. Crossing an ocean does not erase criminal responsibility in Queens County.”
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- Defendant extradited from Germany to face Queens manslaughter charges
- 74-year-old victim fatally struck while crossing Myrtle Avenue
- Vehicle fire damaged nearby homes in alleged cover-up
If convicted, Stoian faces more than 25 years in prison. The investigation was conducted by the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad, the District Attorney’s Vehicular Homicide and Extraditions Units, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs.
Extradited suspect faces 25 years in fatal Queens hit-and-run and arson case
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