A Bronx man, involved in a deadly hit-and-run incident in Sunset Park dating back to 2021, has been sentenced to a term that ranges from four to 12 years in prison. The man identified as Elvis Nolasco, aged 28, ran a red light that led to the fatal collision and was attempting to flee from the police when the crash occurred. The sentence was handed down by Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Kim Petersen, as was reported by the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez reported that Elvis Nolasco’s reckless driving caused the death of 42-year-old James Lopez, and that Nolasco attempted to flee on foot afterward. Additionally, Nolasco was driving with a suspended license at the time of the incident. "By refusing to stop for police and speeding through one red light after another, this defendant caused a devastating crash that stole the life of James Lopez, an innocent man simply driving lawfully through an intersection," Gonzalez shared in the revelation, as published on the DA's official website.
On the morning of October 17, 2021, police pursuit had ensued after officers tried to pull Nolasco over as he sped his white Mercedes southbound along Third Avenue. The chase reached speeds upwards of 80 miles per hour, with Nolasco blowing through multiple red signals. The deadly collision occurred at 60th Street where Lopez, obeying the traffic laws, was struck when Nolasco ran yet another red light. Lopez was promptly rushed to NYU Langone Hospital–Brooklyn where he was pronounced dead.
The capture of Nolasco followed a brief attempt to flee after the crash, during which he was found hiding under a parked car by authorities. After a thorough investigation led by the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad, Nolasco was arrested on April 18, 2023. The case is being prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Danyelle Shapiro and Assistant District Attorney Bianca Kushner, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Jennifer Nocella and Frank DeGaetano.
