A 22-year-old driver with a history of accidents and arrests is facing charges after police allege he ran a red light and hit a pole on Staten Island, killing one of his passengers and critically injuring another.
Hasim Smith is charged with leaving the scene of an accident in the crash that killed 19-year-old Alize Jorge and injured 18-year-old Porsha Bee late Sunday, according to the NYPD.
Authorities say Smith was allegedly speeding north on Richmond Avenue in his Mitsubishi sedan and attempted to run a red light at Richmond Hill Road. But the driver allegedly swerved to miss another car and slammed into a traffic pole in the middle of the intersection.
When police arrived at the scene, they found Jorge unconscious in the back seat, authorities said. Bee had apparently been thrown from the car and was unconscious on the pavement. The Staten Island Advance obtained video of the aftermath of the crash.
Both women were taken to the hospital, where Jorge was pronounced dead. Bee was listed in critical condition.
Jorge's father Alvaro said that the trio were heading home from a barbecue when the car crashed. He said he didn't plan on thinking in terms of anger against the driver allegedly involved in the crash.
"She was a magnet for people," Alvaro Jorge said of his daughter. "She was always a very giving, loving girl, always willing to share her lunch with you."
Smith remained hospitalized Monday, though the extent of his injuries was unknown. Information on an attorney for him wasn't immediately available. He has 21 prior arrests, including many for driving offenses.
In February, Smith was arrested after he allegedly fled police during a traffic stop and slammed into a parked car, which hit and killed a 65-year-old woman. He was driving with a suspended license at the time of the accident, according to court documents.
Smith was also arrested in June 2014 after allegedly trying to flee a police officer who tried to pull him over for driving 25 mph over the speed limit. In the 2014 case, Smith allegedly crossed a double yellow line into oncoming traffic, went through a stop sign, mounted a curb, drove along the sidewalk and went the wrong way on a road before colliding with oncoming traffic, according to court documents. A police officer was injured.
Also in June 2014, Smith was arrested in connection with a pair of drug gangs allegedly operating on Staten Island. Smith was allegedly involved in the packaging and distribution of cocaine in the borough. The 24 suspected gang members arrested in the takedown were linked to 29 shootings on Staten Island since 2008, authorities said. In August 2013, Smith was shot in the buttocks in New Brighton by his cousin, according to court documents.
Smith is expected to face a judge this week in connection with some of his prior arrests.
