What to Know
- Nicholas Batka, 28, has been charged with vehicular homicide, manslaughter, vehicular assault and other crimes in a 26-count indictment
- He allegedly struck and killed a 21-year-old MIT student in Brooklyn while driving drunk
- Attorney Michael Farkas told NBC 4 New York in August that the case is "a terrible tragedy for all concerned"
A former NYPD officer accused of killing a 21-year-old MIT student with his car while driving drunk in Brooklyn faces many charges including vehicular homicide, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Nicholas Batka, 28, has been charged with vehicular homicide, manslaughter, vehicular assault and other crimes in a 26-count indictment, the district attorney's office said.
“It's outrageous that this defendant – a New York City police officer at the time – chose to get behind the wheel while drunk and caused a deadly and horrific car crash," Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson said in a statement.
The SUV crash on July 16 in Williamsburg killed 21-year-old Andrew Esquivel, and seriously injured three of his friends.
Esquivel, a native of Healdsburg, California, attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He had an internship at a New York City company.
Former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said at the time of the crash that two other off-duty officers who were with Batka have been stripped of their guns and shields while the investigation continues.
Local
Attorney Michael Farkas told NBC 4 New York in August that the case is "a terrible tragedy for all concerned" and says he and Batka will work to bring all the facts to light.
Batka was fired from the NYPD soon after the crash. His lawyer says the firing wasn't a surprise.
