Teen Charged With Manslaughter For 19th Cyclist's Death: Cops

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — A Queens teen was slapped with a bevy of charges — including manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide — weeks after he ran a Brooklyn red light and triggered a crash that claimed the life of Jose Alzorriz, the 19th city cyclist to die in 2019, police and prosecutors said.

Mirza Baig, 18, was arrested on 11 criminal charges Wednesday, almost three weeks after his 2019 Dodge Charger T-boned a 2018 Honda Pilot that hit Alzorriz, 52, on Coney Island Avenue and Avenue L on Aug. 11, according to police and the Brooklyn District Attorney's office.

“This tragic case illustrates the dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians when drivers choose to recklessly ignore the rules of the road," said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

"I am committed to doing my part to promote safety and will continue to investigate cases of vehicular violence and bring criminal charges whenever they are supported by the facts and the law.”

Baig, of Rego Park, was allegedly driving at about 60 mph in a 25 mph zone when he sped through the steady red light, according to prosecutors.

Alzorriz, a triathlete and journalist from Park Slope, was thrown from his bike, slammed up against a brick wall and later died in Coney Island Hospital from fatal injuries to his spine, prosecutors said.

News that the teen driver was not immediately charged spurred outrage from cycling advocates and city dwellers who have since launched a petition demanding the Department of Transportation make immediate safety fixes to Coney Island Avenue.

Baig was arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court on a 17-count indictment and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors.

Charges include manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, vehicular assault, reckless endangerment, assault, criminal solicitation, criminal facilitation, reckless driving, disobeying a traffic device, and speed violation, police said.

The solicitation and facilitation charges pertain to statements Baig made to a witness, a Brooklyn District Attorney's office spokesperson said.

Baig's bail was set at $50,000 and he was ordered to return to court on Oct. 23, prosecutors said.