Drunk Man Goes On Destructive Drive In Stolen Truck: Police

A drunk man stole a truck and took it for a ride, injuring two people and causing tons of damage in the process, Nassau police said.

According to police, Yefry Ramirez-Diego, 34, of Far Rockaway, got into an idling truck that was parked at a construction site on Route 878 in Inwood at 1:35 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8. Police say Ramirez-Diego drove off in the truck, but was followed by another vehicle with two employees from the construction site in it.

When Ramirez-Diego stopped when he reached the intersection Sheridan Boulevard and Nassau Boulevard, and the car following him pulled in front to try to stop him from leaving, police say. The two men tried to pull him out of the car, police said, but couldn't. Ramirez-Diego drove forward at the two men when they were standing in front of the truck, according to police. One man managed to jump out of the way, but the other, a 60-year-old man, was hit in the arm by the truck, police said.

Ramirez-Diego continued to drive west on Sheridan Avenue until he lost control of the truck, police say, hitting a fence on Sheridan Boulevard and then hitting a 42-year-old man that was walking on the sidewalk on Carvel Place. The truck finally came to a stop after hitting a 2015 Nissan Altima parked on the street, police said. Ramirez-Diego got out of the truck and ran off, but was found shortly later with assistance from NYPD officers, police said.

Police say an investigation showed that Ramirez-Diego was drunk during the incident. The 60-year-old man refused medical attention. The 42-year-old man was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for hip and abdominal pain.

Ramirez-Diego is charged with second-degree robbery, second-degree grand larceny, first-degree unauthorized use of a vehicle, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury, driving while intoxicated, third-degree assault, reckless driving and unlicensed operator. He was arraigned on Sunday in First District Court in Hempstead.

Photo courtesy Nassau County Police Department