The alleged hit-and-run driver accused of striking and dragging a Queens man under his vehicle to his death in the fall of 2023 turned himself in to police on Tuesday.
According to police sources, 49-year-old Warren Rollins gave himself up to the 105th Precinct at around 8 a.m. on June 3 after law enforcement were closing in on him during the nearly 18-month-old investigation.
Cops say 66-year-old Gary Charlotin attempted to cross at the corner of Hempstead Avenue and 223rd Street on Dec. 10, 2023, when he was struck by the driver of a sedan who ran a traffic light before fleeing the scene.
While Charlotin was lying on the ground in the eastbound lane, Rollins, allegedly driving an SUV, struck Charlotin, who became entangled under his wheels.
Police sources report that a crowd gathered around his vehicle in an attempt to stop him from continuing to drive, with a 911 caller even telling the operator that Charlotin appeared to be still alive.
However, Rollins allegedly refused to acknowledge the collision, telling the crowd he had not struck anybody before driving away. As he sped off, Charlotin remained entangled in the vehicle and was dragged over 1,000 feet before finally being spat out by the car. When EMS arrived, Charlotin was pronounced dead on the scene.
Police caught up to 36-year-old Osman Zavala-Varela in January 2024, the man they said was driving the sedan and initially struck Charlotin. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident, resulting in death, and failure to obey a traffic signal.
Rollins is facing even heavier charges after police say he was aware that he struck Charlotte but continued to drive away.
After being questioned at the 105 precinct, Rollins was taken out of the station house in cuffs by detectives but refused to answer amNewYork when asked why he continued to drive or if he had a message for the victim’s family.
Rollins is charged with murder: depraved indifference, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene of an accident – resulting in death.
Rollins was indicted on June 3. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz called the incident horrific.
“This was a horrific death for the victim. As alleged, pedestrian Gary Charlotin was hit by a car while trying to cross Hempstead Avenue and thrown into the opposite traffic lane. The defendant then allegedly drove over the victim, stopped for more than two minutes and then proceeded to speed away from the scene while dragging the victim’s body, while the victim was still alive. The conduct displayed that evening demonstrates a complete disregard for human life,” Katz said.
