Man Indicted In Connection With Inwood Crash That Injured 20

INWOOD, NY — A 26-year-old man has been indicted in connection with a January car crash in Inwood that injured around 20 people, including an 11-year-old girl whose right leg was amputated, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Wednesday.

Jonathan Valentin, of Maywood, New Jersey, is facing multiple charges, including leaving the scene of an accident without reporting, causing serious physical injury, ten counts of third-degree assault and other violations of vehicle and traffic law.

The crash happened Jan.2 around 9 p.m. when Valentin accelerated out of a gas station and crashed into an Uber on Broadway just north of 204th Street, the D.A. said. The Uber then careened into a restaurant where multiple people were injured. In addition to the 11-year-old girl whose leg was amputated, a toddler broke their foot.

Valentin then fled to New Jersey, the D.A. said, adding his license was already revoked in New York.

"An 11-year-old has suffered life changing injuries as a result of this defendant’s alleged reckless behavior," Bragg said in a news release announcing the indictment. "After allegedly crashing into another car and causing that car to plow through the front of a crowded restaurant, injuring about 20 people, he immediately fled the scene in an attempt to evade responsibility. We will continue to fully investigate incidents of serious traffic violence and hold irresponsible drivers accountable."