Driver In Crash That Killed NCPD Crossing Guard Indicted, DA Says

MERRICK, NY — The driver involved in the crash that took the life of Massapequa crossing guard John Miro has been indicted on upgraded charges, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced Tuesday.

The district attorney announced Tuesday that 30-year-old Joshua Alvarado had been indicted on charges of second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault, driving while ability impaired by drugs and driving while ability impaired. Patch attempted to reach Alvarado's attorney, George Vomvolakis, for comment on this story.

The charges stem from a crash on the morning of Feb. 26 that initially left 70-year-old John Miro, an NCPD crossing guard, in critical condition. Miro died a week later, on Mar. 6, from injuries suffered in the crash.

According to the district attorney’s office, Alvarado was driving a commercial pickup truck for an extermination business while high on a cocktail of drugs including Xanax, Clonazepam and a synthetic drug known as “Street Xanax” at the time of the crash.

“A beloved crossing guard is dead because this defendant allegedly drove while highly impaired by a powerful mixture of sedatives and illegal street drugs,” Donnelly said. “He allegedly struck down John Miro on the very sidewalk where he had helped children safely cross for years, leaving a permanent void in the lives of everyone who knew him. We intend to seek justice for Miro’s family and the community that relied on his consistent, reassuring presence.”

Prosecutors said Alvarado fell asleep at the wheel while stopped at a red light at the intersection of Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue, before being woken up by the honking of other cars. When he awoke, prosecutors said, Alvarado drove diagonally through the intersection, mounted the curb and struck Miro, who had been clearing snow off the sidewalk and helping children cross the street moments earlier.

In the crash, prosecutors said Miro suffered blunt force head trauma, multiple broken ribs and a broken hip. Alvarado was arrested the day of the accident and charged with vehicular assault and DWAI, charges that would be upgraded upon Miro’s death a week later.