Plea Deal For Drunk, Unlicensed, Hit-Run Driver

NANUET, NY — The drunk, drugged, unlicensed driver who tried to speed around traffic on Route 59 and smashed into an earlier collision pleaded guilty Monday to one count of Assault in the Second Degree, a class “D” Violent Felony. The crash he caused in 2018 left three people with serious injuries.

“Because of the reckless actions of a drunk and drugged driver, three innocent victims continue to suffer nearly a year after being struck by an SUV,” said Acting Rockland County District Attorney Kevin Gilleece.

Rohan Brijlall of the Bronx had been originally charged with vehicular assault 1st (felony), vehicular assault 2nd (felony), operator leaving the scene of accident resulting in serious injury (felony), DWI (misdemeanor) and aggravated unlicensed operator 1st (felony).

At 3:05 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2018, the 42-year-old was driving a Land Rover east on Route 59 and Old Nyack Turnpike in Nanuet. He was in the left lane and traffic had slowed.

He tried to illegally pass another vehicle on the right and swerved into the center lane. As he did so, he accelerated to at least 60 miles per hour (it was a 40 mph zone).

The victims’ two vehicles were stopped in the center lane after an unrelated traffic accident. All three people were in the process of exchanging information.

Brijlall crashed into the first victim’s car, which then struck all three people. One victim suffered traumatic injuries including a severed leg. The second victim sustained a broken leg and ruptured cyst and the third victim suffered a fracture clavicle and other injuries.

Brijlall and his three passengers all ran away. They were caught by police a short distance from the accident.

An analysis of Brijlall's blood drawn after the crash revealed the presence of cocaine,
cocaethylene, and benzoylecgonine. In particular, cocaethylene is only formed by the liver when cocaine and alcohol coexist in the blood, the DA said.

Under the terms of the plea deal with the District Attorney’s Office, the Honorable Judge Larry
Schwartz will sentence Brijlall to four years in state prison on Dec. 3.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Michael Dugandzic and Assistant District Attorney Kimberly Von Ronn prosecuted the case.

SEE: Felony Charges In Monday's Route 59 Crash