Osman Zavala-Varela of Hempstead charged in Queens hit-and-run death of Baldwin man
A Hempstead man has been charged in a December hit-and-run crash that killed a North Baldwin man in Queens, according to the NYPD. Osman Zavala-Varela, 36, was charged Wednesday by New York City police in connection with a crash that killed Gary Charlotin, 66, of Baldwin, on Hempstead Avenue and 223rd Street in Queens. New York City police responded to a 911 call about 8 p.m.
Dec.
10 to find the victim in the roadway and suffering from severe injuries. Charlotin was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Police determined that Charlotin was first hit by a light-colored, westbound SUV as he crossed Hempstead Avenue.
As he was lying in the street, a second light-colored SUV, this one eastbound, ran over the victim. Both drivers left the scene without stopping, police said. Following an investigation, Zavala-Varela was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and failure to obey a traffic signal, police said.
The investigation is ongoing, police said.
By Newsday Staff