Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of HAMZA SALMAN, 28, for speeding through multiple red lights, colliding into a yellow cab and causing significant injuries to the 51-year-old driver. SALMAN is charged in a New York State Supreme Court with one count of Assault in the Second Degree, one count of Reckless Endangerment on the Second Degree and one count of Reckless Driving.[1]
“As alleged, Salman recklessly careened through midtown streets without regard for the safety of others, and severely injured another driver,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Our cab drivers perform a vital service and deserve the utmost protection, and our thoughts are with the victim as he recovers from these injuries.”
According to court documents and statements made on the record, on October 30, 2022, at approximately 4:00 am, SALMAN started speeding with another car southbound down Fifth Avenue and ran through two red lights at East 45th and East 44th Streets.
A yellow cab driver was driving eastbound on East 44th Street, preparing to turn onto Fifth Avenue when SALMAN crashed into the vehicle at a speed of approximately 99 m.p.h. SALMAN was driving at such a high speed that his vehicle came to a complete stop a full block away after the crash.
The cab driver suffered multiple, substantial injuries, including broken ribs, a broken collar bone and a broken scapula, which required multiple surgeries.
Assistant D.A. Edward Smith (Trial Bureau 60) is handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Harrison Schweiloch (Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 60), Charles Whitt (Chief of Trial Bureau 60) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division).
D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly the Midtown South Precinct, the Highway Collision Investigation Squad, and the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative.
Defendant Information:
HAMZA SALMAN
New York, New York
Charged:
- Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count
- Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count
- Reckless Driving
[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.
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