Story by Ethan
On October 30th, 2025, the arrest of Daveanand Budhai, age 25, was announced by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Daveanand Budhai was charged with second-degree Manslaughter, second-degree Assault, second and third-degree Leaving the Scene Without Reporting, second and third-degree Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle, second and third-degree Reckless Driving, and second and third-degree Operating a Vehicle at Unreasonable Speeds and Failure to Reduce Speed. The arrest and charges against Daveanand Budhai were a result of an investigation handled by the Nassau Police Department.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, at approximately 7:30 a.m. on September 19th, 2025, Daveanand Budhai was driving an Infiniti Sedan traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed on the Nassau Express. Daveanand Budhai was approaching exit 1N in order to get on the Van Wyck Expressway. The ramp off of exit 1N was an active construction zone at the time with proper safety measures in place such as multiple traffic drums, traffic cones, and correct signaling and signage. Due to the construction the left lane was closed off, and one of the signs before the zone clearly stated that the speed limit was 25 miles per hour on the ramp.
The victim, identified as 44-year-old Isabel Alvarez, was working in the exit 1N construction zone as a flag person. Isabel Alvarez was holding a sign that said “SLOW/STOP” while wearing all required safety equipment that included her hard hat and fluorescent reflective vest. Allegedly Daveanand Budhai struck Isabel Alvarez after running through some of the set up traffic drums at a high rate of speed. Isabel Alvarez’ cause of death was the impact before she was launched approximately 168ft in the air, her body then landing on the left shoulder of the road.
It is alleged that Daveanand Budhai fled from the scene before stopping approximately a mile away on 134th Street and South Conduit Avenue. Daveanand Budhai called 911 to report injuries on his hands that he suffered from the collision, however when responding officers arrived at the defendant’s location they noticed the substantial amount of damage to the front-end of his vehicle. It was noted that the car had a broken windshield, blood and glass were scattered inside the vehicle, and fluorescent markings were present on the vehicle’s hood. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz also confirmed that Daveanand Budhai was driving despite his driver’s license being suspended.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Daveanand Budhai are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
