smash-up in front of our building - October 20th

http://www.tribecatrib.com/news/newsoct08/accident.html

A Brooklyn teen's unlicensed ride behind the wheel came to an abrupt end Monday afternoon when he planted the nose of his cousin's car into a parked police car on Broadway.

New York State Court officers at the corner of Broadway and Leonard Street said the unlicensed 17-year-old driver came barreling up Leonard Street in his cousin's late model Nissan Maxima, made a hard right onto Broadway, overcorrected his turn and slammed into a parked, unmarked Mitsubishi Gallant registered to the New York Police Department around 3 p.m., Oct. 20.

Police said the driver, who was not identified, struck as many as three other vehicles between the scene of the accident and the municipal parking lot at the corner of Lafayette and Leonard Street. He was transported to a hospital for treatment of a possible injury after being taken into custody. Police said he had hit his head on the steering wheel after colliding with the police car.

Both airbags in the Maxima had been deployed. No other injuries were reported.

It's a miracle he didn't hit anyone," court officer William Castillo said.

Castillo said the driver struck at least two cars while trying to park his cousin's Maxima in the municipal lot, and then sideswiped a van on his way up Leonard Street. The owner of the Maxima, who asked not to be identified, said he left his younger cousin in his car while he ran an errand, and told him to park the car in the lot.

The Maxima sustained a broken windshield and extensive damage to both side. The impact catapulted the Gallant onto the sidewalk.

"I just got that car out of the shop last week," the owner of the Maxima said.

Police said the young driver did not appear to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and would likely be charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident.