CHARLESTON — A man was indicted for manslaughter after he drove with a man clinging to the roof of his car, eventually hitting a curb and flinging the man to his death, police and prosecutors said.
Another man was charged with stealing the victim's cash.
Robert Messina, 22, was indicted on manslaughter, assault, reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting it and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle for the death of Robert Kunz, 24, according to police and prosecutors.
Anthony Zito, 22, was also arrested and indicted on petit larceny charges for stealing $90 from Kunz before his death, prosecutors said.
On July 20, 2015, Messina and Kunz got into an argument and Kunz followed the other man's 2014 Audi sedan out of a parking lot at 2965 Veterans Road West, police said.
When the car stopped at a red light at Tyrellan Avenue, Kunz jumped on the roof and windshield of the vehicle and grabbed it, police said.
Messina kept driving the vehicle for several feet at more than 30 mph with Kunz on it until he swerved and struck a curb, flinging Kunz from the roof, prosecutors said.
He then drove away from the scene, before returning, police said.
Kunz, who suffered trauma to his head and body, was taken to Staten Island University Hospital South where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Messina pleaded not guilty to the charges March 2, according to the Staten Island District Attorney's office. He was released on $50,000 bail and is due back in court on April 8.
His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Zito also pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on March 10 and he was released without bail, the DA said. He's due back in court on April 13.
His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
