8 THE QUEENS COURIER • OCTOBER 17, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com Ferreras staffer investigated BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA AND ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] A local politician’s staff member is under investigation for her alleged involvement with a group raising money to free one of the bikers indicted in connection with the assault of an SUV driver. Ivettelis Rodriguez, Councilmember Julissa Ferreras’ district manager, was trying to raise money via her Facebook page to get Robert Sims out of jail, according to published reports. Screenshots of Rodriguez’s posts from a Facebook name “Bandolera Ryderz LdyStickey Pro,” shows her on motorcycles, supporting a group to raise money to get Sims out of jail and also shows Rodriguez at her district manager job, reports said. “I am deeply disappointed with the behavior my staffer, Ivettelis Rodriguez, has exhibited,” said Ferreras. “Her statements and behavior are not in any way indicative of my beliefs, nor is it an accurate refl ection of the high standard of personal conduct “I AM DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE BEHAVIOR MY STAFFER, IVETTELIS RODRIGUEZ, HAS EXHIBITED.” to which I hold my staff. I am currently working with the City Council to launch a full investigation into the matter.” The Facebook page has been taken down. The SUV and the group of motorcyclists were both on the Henry Hudson Parkway on September 29 when, according to reports, one of the bikers and the vehicle COUNCILMEMBER JULISSA FERRERAS bumped, which may have set off the altercation. In a YouTube video, the SUV can be seen slowing down and then running over biker Edwin Mieses Jr., paralyzing him, according to reports. The driver, who had his wife and toddler in the car, reportedly has claimed he felt threatened by the surrounding motorcyclists and that’s why he accelerated. After the SUV hit Mieses, police said several of the motorcyclists chased the car, slashed its tires and did other damage to the vehicle. When the driver stopped, some of the bikers pulled the man from his Range Rover and assaulted him. Sims, according to reports, was indicted on Thursday, October 10. Two other bikers were indicted by a grand jury the following day. The same day, the case of an undercover Queens detective who was off duty during the assault was adjourned until February 5, when, according to published reports, he will testify in front of a grand jury. Wojciech Braszczok, 32, who, according to the New York Daily News, is a Long Island City resident, was initially arrested and charged with criminal mischief and riot. Even though he didn’t participate in the assault, because he was aided by individuals who did take part, his charges were modifi ed to gang assault, assault and criminal mischief, according to the criminal complaint. Braszczok, a 10-year veteran of the NYPD, didn’t initially come forward to say that he was present during the incident until several days after it happened, according to reports, and lied about witnessing the incident and his role. He was identifi ed in a video where he can be allegedly seen striking the SUV’s driver’s side window with his helmet multiple times and kicking the passenger side of the vehicle, according to the complaint. At least seven bikers have been charged in connection to the incident. Police are still seeking several others for questioning. Fund to help family of 3 year old killed BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] A family and community are left mourning three-year-old Olvin Jahir Figueroa after he was fatally struck by an alleged drunk driver while crossing a Jackson Heights street with his mother. According to police, on October 11 at approximately 9:50 p.m. the toddler was crossing the corner of Junction Boulevard and Northern Boulevard with his mother after visiting a nearby market, when a white 2011 Acura struck him. The 35-year-old driver then stopped and drove the toddler and his mother to New York Hospital Queens in Flushing where the toddler was pronounced dead. The driver, Gilbert Echeverria, was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated, police said. Councilmember Julissa Ferreras gathered with family, residents and members of the local church on Monday, October 14 to hold a candle light prayer vigil for Olvin. “As a new mother with a baby boy of my own, I know what it is like to have so many hopes and dreams for your children,” said Ferreras. “Olvin’s parents will never get to see him attend his fi rst day of school or see him graduate. He had his whole life ahead of him.” The councilmember lost two of her best friends close to 20 years ago to a fatal traffi c accident also involving a drunk driver at the same intersection. Ferreras has set up a donation fund at TD Bank to help Olvin’s family with burial expenses. The account number is 4283969885. Checks should be made payable to the “Olvin Jahir Figueroa Burial Fund.” Halloween Playland Saturday, October 26, 2013 Noon – 5 PM 41st Ave by the Bayside LIRR FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.Baysidevillage.net 718-423-2434: Rides Treats #1 in Transportation for Northeast Queens Residents! 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