Racing Hit-And-Run Drivers Indicted In Deadly August Crash: DA

HARLEM, NY - Two New York men were indicted this week in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Harlem that took place while the duo was street racing, authorities said.

Brooklyn resident Cary Brown, 29, and Manhattan resident Marcos Vega-Pagan, 24, were charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting causing death and related offenses, Manhattan District Attorney Bragg said in a statement.

Vega-Pagan was also charged with insurance fraud and falsifying business records, Bragg said.

On Aug. 3 about 10:50 p.m., Brown and Vega-Pagan were racing each other in their cars southbound on the Henry Hudson Parkway near 145th Street when Vega-Pagan slammed his BMW at about 90 mph into motorcyclist Joel Quintana, 42.

Quintana was ejected from his motorcycle and thrown into the road when Brown, who was also traveling at 90 mph and driving with a suspended license, ran him over. Both Brown and Vega-Pagan fled the scene of the incident, Bragg said.

Quintana was a father of six children and was en route to work at the time of the crash, officials said.

Vega-Pagan told State Farm the next day that his BMW was damaged when it was hit while parked, Bragg said. Vega-Pagan later submitted a claim for over $3,000.

“When our highways and streets turn into playgrounds for cars, it leads to tragedy,” Bragg said. “These defendants displayed extreme recklessness and negligence when they allegedly raced down the Henry Hudson Parkway. Now, Mr. Quintana’s six children and all of his loved ones are mourning his painful loss.”