Drunk driver accused of assaulting and kicking victim to death following vehicle collision
04/18/2023 2:59 pm PDT
BALDWIN, N.Y. (TCD) -- Police arrested a 26-year-old man accused of fatally beating a 54-year-old male victim after the two were involved in a collision.
According to the Nassau County Police Department, on the night of Saturday, April 15, officers responded to a report of a car accident at the intersection of Schuman Place and Forest Avenue. At the scene, officials learned Patrick Destine was driving a gray 2004 Infiniti G35 that reportedly crashed into the victim’s green 2003 Honda minivan. WCBS-TV identified the victim as David McKenzie.
According to WNYW-TV, Destine recently purchased the Infiniti for $4,000, and it was unregistered and uninsured. He was allegedly drunk when he drove through a stop sign and hit McKenzie’s vehicle.
Following the accident, police said the drivers got into a verbal argument, and Destine allegedly began "violently assaulting the other driver." Destine reportedly "continuously kicked the victim in his head causing severe head trauma."
Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick of the Nassau Homicide Squad told WCBS, "He began to violently assault him and kick him to his death, then rummaged through his pockets after the victim lay lifeless on the ground."
The victim was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
After the assault and beating, Destine reportedly stole belongings from McKenzie’s car and fled the scene with his girlfriend, 19-year-old Aisha Pitt. Police said a short foot pursuit ensued.
Destine was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and second-degree murder. He appeared in court on April 17 and remains held without bail.
Destine’s girlfriend was also reportedly arrested on Saturday, April 15, on charges of false personation and criminal possession of a controlled substance. According to WCBS, on Monday, April 17, Pitt allegedly became combative following Destine’s court appearance and was arrested again but on charges of disorderly conduct and assault on a police officer.
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