A vehicle hijacker in Queens saw his joyride come to an end when he struck and killed a Queens man on Sunday. Police are still on the hunt for the culprit, who stole a 2016 Mustang GT about ten minutes before the incident and allegedly “mowed down” the Queens man, who was crossing a street only a block from his home. Earl Hall, 48, was a resident of the nearby Jamaica area and well-loved by his neighbors and family.

That only makes what the hijacker did even more tragic. Unfortunately, after hitting West, the hijacker did not stop for the man, instead dragging his victim along with him before hopping to get away in another car. T

hough his family was not able to catch the hijacker in time, they were able to give an accurate description to the police, who will be on the hunt for this person until he is caught.

Stealing A Car is Criminal Enough

Stealing a car or hijacking one from someone is a bold move and might seem like harmless fun, but keep in mind that this crime is one that could result in years of prison time if you are caught by the authorities. In New York, hijacking a car is defined as robbery in the second degree, a felony offense that will already result in prison time as well as a permanent mark on your criminal record.

Adding on Homicide Will Make Penalties Harsher

In this situation, however, there were not one, but two victims. The first was the person whose car was hijacked and whose material property can always be replaced. The second, however, was Mr. West, and his life cannot be given back.

Therefore the punishment for homicide or manslaughter is much harsher and harder to fight, resulting in up to life in prison without the possibility of parole as well as some high legal fees.

In a Sticky Situation? Contact an Award-Winning Criminal Defense Attorney

If you ever find yourself in a difficult situation where you may be accused of a crime, your best move is to contact a skilled criminal defense attorney who can help to defend your rights and freedom. The award-winning attorneys at Bukh & Associates have helped those accused of crimes to minimize or even get their charges dropped, and they can do the same for your case as well.

Criminal defense is not one-size-fits-all, but that doesn’t mean our attorneys cannot cater to your unique needs when it comes to your case. The best way to know is to call us today and speak with a criminal defense lawyer who may be able to help with your case.

No matter what the future holds, you can rest easy knowing that you’ve got the best attorneys in New York behind you the entire way.