Tariq Witherspoon, a veteran FDNY paramedic, was charged yesterday on suspicion of causing a fatal accident while off duty and then going on the run nine months ago, the New York police said.
Witherspoon (30), who was driving a luxurious Rolls-Royce car, was accused of fatally running over teacher Matthew Jensen (58) while crossing Bayard St. near McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, shortly after midnight on 18 May.
According to the police, Jensen was crossing in the opposite direction to traffic and Witherspoon had a green light, but after striking the victim he did not stay put and fled. Oblivious to the irony, fellow paramedics rescued the teacher and took him to Woodhull Medical Center, but they couldn’t save him.
Nine months later, Witherspoon gave up yesterday around 8: 45 am at the Police Station 94 and was charged with criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene of an accident, reckless endangerment, and violation of speed, police said. He was prosecuted in Brooklyn Supreme Court and his next court date is April 11.
“Matthew Jensen was a beloved teacher at PS 110 whom his students, co-workers, friends and family they miss a lot,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. “We will now seek to bring this defendant to justice for his alleged actions, which left a community heartbroken.”
“Tariq Witherspoon served in Brooklyn as an FDNY EMT (paramedic) during 11 years and will be suspended without pay,” an FDNY spokesperson said in a statement quoted by Daily News.