Chaos erupts outside Brooklyn criminal courtroom in arraignment for hit-and-run driver accused in officer's death
The suspect accused of leaving the scene of a crash that killed an off-duty NYPD officer was arraigned — but the hearing erupted into violence.
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Chaos erupted inside Brooklyn Criminal Court Tuesday morning.
The suspect accused of leaving the scene of a crash that killed an off-duty NYPD officer was arraigned — but the hearing erupted into violence.
It happened at the arraignment of 30-year-old Carlos Almanzar Toribio. He's charged with leaving the scene of a deadly crash that took the life of off-duty NYPD Officer Jay Pena.
News 12 obtained exclusive video of the chaotic scene right outside of the courtroom. Sources tell News 12 that moments after Toribio was led out of court, Pena's 18-year-old brother lunged at someone in the audience. A scuffle broke out, a court officer was hurt and Pena's brother was arrested.
“It was a tough day in court,” said PBA President Patrick Hendry. "You know, this family is upset.”
The charges stem from a crash on the BQE back in August. Police say Officer Pena was riding his motorcycle when he was hit by a box truck Toribio was driving.
“He decided to leave the scene,” Hendry said. “He saw our brother on the side of the road. He admitted that he then removed part of the motorcycle from the box truck and continued to leave. He continued to cover this up time and time again and left our brother to die on the side of the road.”
Toribio is charged with several felonies, including leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and tampering with evidence. He’s also charged with improperly displaying license plates.
Officer Jay Pena had four years on the force and was a member of the 84th Precinct.
“The family is devastated,” explained Hendry. “Losing a 30-year-old son in the prime of his life, who had so much ahead of them in life and they're just really upset and we’re here to console them, and to make sure that they get justice for their son.”
Toribio pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. He is still behind bars and he’ll be back in court Nov. 18.
