STATEN ISLAND — A driver whose boat detached from his SUV and killed a cyclist on Hylan Boulevard last year was indicted for manslaughter this week, prosecutors said.
Michael Khmil, 42, was hit with a four-count indictment Monday for the death of cyclist Alexa Cioffi, 21, of Eltingville, who was riding on Hylan Boulevard last year.
Prosecutors said that Khmil shouldn't have attached the boat to his vehicle because it had a maximum capacity of 3,000 pounds while the boat was more than 4,000 pounds.
Also, Khmil failed to secure the boat onto the trailer with chains and didn't install a breaking system, prosecutors said.
On Sept. 14, 2015, Cioffi and a 22-year-old girl were riding in the right lane of Hylan Boulevard when Khmil, driving a 2015 Toyota SUV with the boat in tow, overtook them near Redgrave Avenue, police said.
As Khmil changed lanes, the trailer carrying the boat detached and struck the 22-year-old girl, police said. The boat then struck Cioffi and pinned her underneath, police said.
Both women were taken to Staten Island University Hospital North, where Cioffi was pronounced dead.
Khmil remained on scene but was not charged until he was hit with the indictment, according to online court records.
He was indicted for manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault and reckless endangerment. He pleaded not guilty to each of the charges Monday at his arraignment, according to online court records.
Khmil was released without bail and is due back in court on May 24.
His lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
