BROOKLYN, NY – Tensions flared at a Brooklyn criminal court as the suspect accused of fleeing the scene of a crash that killed an off-duty NYPD officer faced arraignment. The courtroom descended into chaos following the hearing for 30-year-old Carlos Toribio, charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
The incident erupted after Toribio was escorted from the courtroom. The 18-year-old brother of Officer Jay Pena Nieto, the deceased, reportedly lunged at someone in the courtroom, leading to a scuffle. A court officer sustained injuries, and Pena’s brother was subsequently arrested.
The charges against Toribio stem from an August crash on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. Officer Pena was riding his motorcycle when he was struck by a box truck driven by Toribio, according to police reports.
Patrick Henry, President of the Police Benevolent Association, emphasized the need for Toribio to face justice, condemning his actions for allegedly leaving Pena on the roadside and removing the motorcycle from the scene.
Toribio faces multiple felony charges, including leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with evidence. Officer Pena, who served four years with the NYPD’s 84th precinct, was remembered as a dedicated officer whose life was tragically cut short.
The court session was marked by high emotions and tension, reflecting the gravity of the case and the loss felt by Pena’s family and colleagues. Toribio remains in custody, with his next court appearance scheduled for November 18.