PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release on September 23, 2005

Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150
William.Smith@rcda.nyc.gov

D.A. Donovan Announces Arrest of Man for Leaving the Scene of Accident at D.O.T. Worksite

Vincent Ventafredda, 25, Surrenders at D.A.’s Office Following Thursday Morning Incident

STATEN ISLAND, NY - Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today announced the arrest of Vincent Ventafredda (DOB: 10/15/1979), of West Brighton, for leaving the scene of an accident in which several Department of Transportation (DOT) workers were injured, including one seriously.

Ventafredda is charged with operating a blue 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Track shortly before 2:00 a.m. in the vicinity of Slosson Avenue near Lortel Avenue where a crew of DOT workers was repaving Slosson Avenue. The defendant is alleged to have passed through a coned area, striking a DOT truck and three workers.

District Attorney Donovan stated, “At this time, the defendant has been charged with one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident which carries a penalty of up to four years in prison. Additional charges may be brought following a thorough investigation by my office and the members of the NYPD’s Accident Investigation Squad into the circumstances of this incident.”

The defendant surrendered to the Richmond County District Attorney’s office and was placed under arrest by Det. Tony Raccioppo of the Accident Investigation Squad within the confines of the Richmond County District Attorney’s office at 130 Stuyvesant Place, St. George. He has been charged at this time with Leaving the Scene of an Accident Without Reporting, a class E Felony, punishable by up to 4 years in prison.

He will be arraigned Saturday morning at Staten Island Criminal Court, 67 Targee Street.
“The severe injuries endured by these public servants, working to improve the quality of our roads, should serve as a cautionary tale to all drivers in our community. Please drive with caution and care at all times, especially in the areas where these crews and emergency service personnel may be performing their duties,” added the District Attorney.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Mark Palladino, working under the supervision of ADA Mario Mattei, Chief of the Investigations Bureau.

The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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