Queens Man Charged in Fatal Crash

Jolenna Favor was killed in a car crash. -Photo from social media

Driving Under Influence at 97 MPH, Prosecutors Say 

Nearly Hit Cops

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A Queens man who has a history of drunk driving, has been charged in the fatal crash that left a mother dead and which nearly hit police officers as the car traveled 97 MPH, prosecutors said.

Nicholas Thompson, 35, has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and other charges for the Saturday night deadly car crash that killed a female passenger on Rockaway Blvd. in Jamaica, Queens.

“As a result of this defendant’s alleged criminal behavior, a woman’s life has been tragically cut short,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.

“From the moment the defendant allegedly got behind the wheel of the car, intoxicated and with a revoked license, he was breaking the law and endangering the lives of everyone on the road,” Katz said. “He will be held accountable for his alleged actions to the fullest extent of the law.” 

Prosecutors said Thompson should have never been behind the wheel since his license was revoked in 2011. He had been convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Nassau County on September 26, 2011 and in Chester County, Pennsylvania on March 9, 2015 and that his license was revoked on November 10, 2011. 

However, having no license apparently did not stop Thompson. Prosecutors said he was behind the wheel of a 2015 gray BMW on Saturday night. Apparently traveling at a high rate of speed, Thompson’s BMW nearly struck an unmarked police car, causing the officers to swerve out the way.   

After missing the cops, the BMW ran off the road, through a metal fence and slammed into a set of trees. 

Police observed Thompson exiting the crashed vehicle. They also observed 32-year-old Jolenna Favor sitting in the front passenger seat with severe head and body trauma. She was later pronounced dead at the scene by an EMT. 

Thompson refused to take a Breathalyzer test at the scene. The officers said they observed the defendant allegedly had bloodshot and watery eyes and police detected a heavy odor of alcohol on his breath.

After executing a search warrant, police retrieved the car’s data recorder. Prosecutors said the vehicle had been traveling at 97 miles per hour prior to impact. 

Favor leaves behind an 11-year-old son.

Thompson has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular manslaughter in the first degree, manslaughter in the second degree, vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, driving while intoxicated with two prior convictions within ten years, criminally negligent homicide, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first and third degree, reckless driving, speed restrictions and driving by unlicensed operator. 

If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison.

Criminal complaints and indictments are accusations. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.