Story by Ethan
On February 20th, 2026, the arrest of Ryan Rampersaud, age 30, was announced by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Ryan Rampersaud was charged with second-degree Vehicular Manslaughter, Criminally Negligent Homicide, and two counts of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol. The arrest and charges against Ryan Rampersaud were a result of an investigation handled by the NYPD’s 112th Precinct.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, at approximately 1:40 a.m. on January 4th, 2026, Ryan Rampersaud was traveling southwards on Crescent Street driving a 2009 Honda Civic. At the same time the victim, 54-year-old Blanca Arias-Miranda, was riding a standing scooter in the bike lane at the intersection of Crescent Street and 30th Drive. As Ryan Rampersaud was approaching the Crescent Street and 30th Drive intersection he failed to yield for oncoming traffic, leading to him colliding with Blanca Arias-Miranda despite her having the right of way. The impact sent the victim flying off the scooter and onto the pavement as other pedestrians called 911. Responding officers immediately transported Blanca Arias-Miranda to a local hospital, however due to the severity of the brain trauma she sustained her death was pronounced two days later.
In addition to finding the victim with her injuries on the scene, both Ryan Rampersaud and the 2009 Honda Civic sustaining visible damage were found at the scene. It’s reported that the defendant was showing several signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, difficulty balancing, and an odor of alcohol on his breath. Officers also noted that there was vomit in the front seat of Ryan Rampersaud’s vehicle. Officers brought the defendant to NYPD’s 112th Precinct at approximately 3:58 a.m. where he initially refused a breathalyzer test. About four and a half hours later at 8:20 a.m. a court-authorized breathalyzer test was administered to Ryan Rampersaud, the result showing a blood alcohol content of .12 percent which is above the legal limit of .08 percent.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Ryan Rampersaud are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
