Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Accused Hit-Run Driver Says He Wasn't Behind Wheel in Fatal Crash: Reports

By Nicholas Rizzi | August 12, 2013 12:31pm
Benz Leaving Scene of Hit-and-Run
View Full Caption
NYPD

TODT HILL — The alleged hit-and-run driver accused of hitting a family with his car on Friday, killing a 4-year-old boy and fleeing the scene, pleaded not guilty and claimed he wasn't behind the wheel at his arraignment on Sunday, according to prosecutors and reports.

John Sanjurjo, 33, of New Dorp, posted $35,000 bail and was released Sunday afternoon after he turned himself into police following the crash that killed Kyrillos Gendy, 4, of South Amboy, N.J., on Richmond Road, cops and the District Attorney's office said.

Even though he turned himself in nearly 16 hours after the accident, Sanjurjo claimed he wasn't behind the wheel of the 2013 black Mercedes Benz 350 that plowed into the family as they left a prayer service at a relative's house, the Staten Island Advance reported.

"You got the wrong guy, man," the Advance reported him saying before he entered court.

Cops told the New York Post that Sanjurjo's Benz was "a crime scene on wheels," with a dented roof and rice from the family's takeout meal splattered across the car.

A 34-year-old woman and a 9-year-old girl were also hurt in the crash, police said.

Sanjurjo was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and two counts of leaving a scene resulting in a serious injury. He is due back in court on Friday.