STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A 27-year-old woman was arrested and is accused of driving a vehicle intentionally into a light fixture at a busy Staten Island shopping center Friday afternoon, according to a spokeswoman for the NYPD.
Brittney Alexander was allegedly driving a 2005 Toyota sedan southwest along Bricktown Way in Bricktown Centre at Charleston when police allege she purposefully drove her vehicle “at a high rate of speed” into a light pole behind several large, heavily trafficked stores.
The collision injured both herself as well as her passenger, a 29-year-old female, the NYPD said.
An FDNY spokesperson said emergency services were called to Veterans Road between West Shore Parkway and Arthur Kill Road at approximately 3:30 p.m.
A 27-year-old woman allegedly drove her vehicle into a light fixture at Bricktown Centre at Charleston on Friday, July 12, 2024. (Staten Island Advance Staff)(Staten Island Advance Staff)
Both Alexander and her passenger were transported to Staten Island University Hospital North, as reported by the FDNY.
Police state that the driver suffered minor lacerations and was treated for chest pain, while the passenger was treated for a laceration to the right knee. A preliminary investigation by police previously suggested that the passenger suffered a critical leg injury.
The car shows heavy damage as it is towed into the 123rd Precinct on Friday evening, July 13, 2024.Staten Island Advance
Later Friday evening, the car was towed to the 123rd precinct.
Authorities say that Alexander and the passenger had an argument. They allege she told police she then crashed the vehicle in an attempt to harm herself.
The NYPD charged Alexander with reckless endangerment in the first degree.
The Richmond County District Attorney’s Office was contacted for official charges but could not be reached by the time of publication.
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