Walked by East Village Farm and Grocery on Second Avenue and East Fourth Street this evening... the site of the awful accident around 7 a.m. today. Everything seems strangely back to normal. The Grocery is open, though they aren't currently selling any flowers, which were wiped out when the speeding Nissan Altima jumped the curb and knocked over a street sign, tree, pay phone and fire hydrant.
Diners/drinkers are sitting along the Avenue's many sidewalk cafes... a lot of people seem unaware of that the area was a crime scene earlier in the day ... others are walking and pointing to some of the damage. It happened right here.
As previously reported, the NYPD charged Shaun Martin, 32, of Bayside, Queens, with DWI. The Post reported that Martin lives with his parents and works for his brother, a roofer. Said neighbors:
"I've known him his whole life. A very good kid,” Frank Mingione, 60, a neighbor said. “Never caused any trouble as far as I know. He's a very hard worker. He's always been a good person."
“He's very nice, a good kid. Very respectful,” said another neighbor who identified herself as Eleni. "He helps me with my grocery bags. I never see him drinking, you can tell."
Police say Martin also has a prior arrest record for DWI and cocaine possession. Depending on the report, the police found marijuana in his sock and hash in his the battered 2013 Nissan Altima he was driving.
Per the Daily News:
His white Nissan Altima was racing against another vehicle before jumping the curb in a horrifying mix of screeching brakes and twisted metal, an eyewitness said.
According to Metro, Ali, the most seriously injured of the East Village Farm workers, is expected to survive his injuries.
Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updated] Car smashes into East Village Farm & Grocery on Second Avenue; 6 reported injured (51 comments)