Oct. 14, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
A dump truck driver was arrested and charged with murder Thursday for allegedly pinning a woman between two cars in a shocking hit-and-run incident in South Jamaica earlier this year.
Roosevelt Rose, 56, was indicted by a Queens grand jury and charged with murder in the second degree, reckless driving, leaving the scene of a fatal incident, and a host of other crimes for fatally hitting 49-year-old Florence Ngwu outside her home on May 8.
The Mother’s Day horror incident took place near 120th Avenue and 167th Street at around 8:30 a.m. after Ngwu had a confrontation with Rose after he crashed a stolen 2019 Ford F-550 truck into a number of parked cars by her house while attempting to make a turn.
Ngwu, along with her daughter and a neighbor, got into a heated argument with him on the street, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Rose then allegedly drove the dump truck into a parked Chevrolet Equinox which then hit Ngwu – sandwiching her between a Chevrolet and a parked Dodge Charger.
Rose could then be seen on video speeding away from the scene and blowing through a stop sign.
Ngwu suffered severe head injuries and died the following day, police said.
“This is a horrifying incident involving the heartbreaking death of a local mom on a day meant to be a celebration for her and her loved ones,” Katz said. “My Office will not allow the use of motor vehicles as dangerous weapons.”
Ngwu, who was originally from Nigeria, had worked as a nurse in a nursing home and was a mother of four, according to multiple reports.
Rose declared his innocence in court when he was arraigned yesterday. He faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted. He was ordered back to court on Dec. 12.
**Warning: Graphic content, viewer discretion is advised**
Queens: 167th Street & 120th Avenue, a @Ford F-550 pickup truck rammed into several vehicles, and then hit multiple people, pinning a woman between two cars. The woman was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, the @NYPDnews/@NYPD113Pct and @NYPDHighway is investigating. pic.twitter.com/JitxlemU7B
— NYC Scoop (@NY_Scoop) May 8, 2022