Off-duty FDNY firefighter appears to blow red light in deadly caught-on-video crash — and now he’s facing charges
An off-duty FDNY firefighter apparently blew through a red light and barreled into an unsuspecting motorist in a deadly DWI crash in Queens on Wednesday, according to cops and video of the collision.
Firefighter Michael Pena, 28, was slapped with charges of vehicular manslaughter, DWI and refusing to take a breath test after the 4:15 a.m. crash in North Corona that took the life of 23-year-old Justin Diaz.
Surveillance footage obtained by The Post shows the moment Pena’s 2015 Mercedes Benz S63 passes a red light on Northern Boulevard and T-bones Diaz’s 2022 BMW 2040 as he drives on 107th Street. Diaz’s car is sent screeching and skidding down the darkened street.
Diaz, of Bushwick, was rushed to the Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he later died from his injuries, cops said.
Pena, who was taken into custody at the scene, has since been slapped with a 28-day suspension without pay from the FDNY, officials said.
He is assigned to Engine 304 in Queens Village, according to a department spokesperson.
Two 28-year-old men who were riding inside Pena’s Mercedes were also taken to the Elmhurst Hospital Center, where they were listed in stable condition, cops said.
Pena’s arraignment in Queens Criminal Court was expected late Thursday.
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