A 25-year-old man from South Ozone Park has been charged with manslaughter and other related crimes in the hit-and-run death of a highway worker on the Nassau Expressway in September, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced. The defendant, Daveanand Budhai, was arraigned on an indictment that included charges of manslaughter in the second degree, assault, leaving the scene, reckless driving, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, among others. If convicted, Budhai could face up to 22 years in prison.
According to Queens District Attorney's Office, the incident occurred just before 7:30 a.m. on September 19. Budhai was allegedly speeding in an Infiniti sedan, when he entered an active construction zone at Exit 1N on the Nassau Expressway. Isabel Alvarez, a 44-year-old construction zone flag person, was struck and killed by Budhai’s vehicle. Katz stated, “As alleged, the horrific death of Isabel Alvarez could have been avoided if the defendant – whose license was suspended – had adhered to the rules of the road and not sped into the highway construction zone where the victim was working.”
The impact of the collision sent Alvarez flying approximately 168 feet through the air before landing on the left shoulder of the roadway, where she was pronounced dead. After striking Alvarez, Budhai purportedly fled the scene and later called 911 from approximately a mile away to report injuries to his hands. When police arrived, they found his car with significant damage, including a shattered windshield, blood, glass, and fluorescent markings, evocative of the safety equipment worn by the victim.
Budhai's trial is set to move forward with Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis presiding over future court proceedings, Da Katz encouraged, that drivers who disregard the law would be held accountable. “Drivers who selfishly believe the law does not apply to them will be held responsible by my office,” she remarked. Budhai is due to return to court on January 8, 2026. The prosecuting team includes Assistant District Attorney Vivian Gonzalez of the Homicide Bureau, with assistance from ADA Matthew Hauszpigel, and under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Jonathan Selkowe, and John Kosinski, as reported by the Queens District Attorney's Office.
