Firefighter Indicted On Drunken Driving, Homicide Charges

JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS — A firefighter was indicted on homicide and manslaughter charges after being accused of hitting and killing a man in Queens last year. He was speeding with a blood alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit for driving, the Queens District Attorney announced on Wednesday.

Early in the morning of June 30, 2020, John DaSilva was speeding down 35th Avenue towards 95th Street in Jackson Heights when he barreled into Grady Romero-Duarte’s car, as the man was making a left turn onto the avenue, according to the DA.

"Shortly after the collision" Romero-Duarte, whose car crashed into four parked cars on 35th Avenue before coming to a stop, was taken by EMS to a nearby hospital, where he ultimately died, the DA said.

DaSilva, 31, a Staten Island resident, had his blood alcohol content tested at the time of the crash, and a medical professional found that it was nearly three times the legal limit of New York State — a blood alcohol content of 0.22 percent, compared with the state's legal limit for driving of 0.08 percent, reported the DA.

At the time of the crash, DaSilva was speeding at about 64 mph in a marked 25 mph zone, the DA said.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said that DaSilva made "alleged reckless and selfish choices" which left Romero-Duarte's loved ones "left mourning a senseless loss of life."

She also cautioned that "driving under the influence of alcohol is irresponsible and puts everyone on the road in danger.”

In addition to two manslaughter charges, DaSilva was indicted on aggravated vehicular homicide, criminally negligent homicide, assault and misdemeanor, and aggravated driving while intoxicated.

He is expected to return to court on September 30 and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.