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Car Wash Worker Charged With DWI After Fatally Striking Customer in Ozone Park: NYPD

A car wash worker fatally struck a woman Monday at Crossbay Car Wash, located at 135-18 Cross Bay Blvd. (Google Maps)

Feb. 16, 2021 By Michael Dorgan

A car wash worker has been charged with drunk driving – and other crimes – after he fatally struck a customer in Ozone Park Monday.

Edwin Vargas, 43, hit a 54-year-old woman while he was exiting Crossbay Car Wash, located at 135-18 Cross Bay Blvd., in a 2011 Jeep Liberty at around 2 p.m., according to police.

Vargas lost control of the SUV and slammed into the victim as she waited for her car to come out of the car wash. The SUV then struck a parked vehicle before coming to a stop, police said.

The woman suffered severe body trauma and was transferred to Jamaica Hospital by EMS where she was later pronounced dead. Police said the victim was Tracie McManus, from 79th Street in Howard Beach.

Vargas, from Richmond Hill, was taken into custody at the scene and had a blood-alcohol level of 0.115 percent, police said. The legal limit is .08 percent.

He has been charged with vehicular manslaughter, vehicular assault, driving while intoxicated, and driving while ability impaired.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

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