Driver arrested for murder after dragging victim three blocks in Queens hit-and-run incident.
More than a year after a tragic incident involving the death of a 66-year-old pedestrian in Queens, a significant development has occurred in the case. Warren Rollins, 49, has turned himself in to law enforcement officials at the 105th Precinct in Queens Village, facing serious charges including murder. This surrender comes in relation to the fatal hit-and-run that occurred on December 10, 2023, resulting in the death of Gary Charlotin.
According to police reports, Charlotin was crossing Hempstead Avenue near 221st Street when he was struck by a westbound 2004 Toyota Camry, which is believed to have initially knocked him into the eastbound lane. Rollins, operating a light-colored SUV, then allegedly ran over Charlotin and halted momentarily, at which point horrified bystanders implored him to stop. However, instead of aiding the victim, Rollins fled the scene, dragging Charlotin for an estimated 1,588 feet. The victim was finally dislodged from under the vehicle as Rollins approached an underpass for the Cross Island Parkway.
In the weeks following the incident, dozens gathered to honor Charlotin during a funeral service in February 2024, expressing profound grief at the loss of a man who resided in North Baldwin, Long Island. Investigative efforts led to the arrest of 38-year-old Osman Zavala-Varela, believed to be the driver of the Camry, who was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident and tampering with evidence. Following his arraignment, Zavala-Varela was released without bail and has a scheduled court appearance in July.
The investigation, led by the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad, identified Rollins after a thorough year-long manhunt. A grand jury subsequently indicted him on several serious charges, including depraved indifference murder and manslaughter. This legal action reflects the severity with which authorities are treating this case. Rollins previously faced charges for drunk driving in both 2014 and 2015, though the outcomes of those legal matters were not disclosed.
As Rollins awaits arraignment on the murder charges in Queens Criminal Court, the case has garnered significant attention from the community and has raised discussions regarding pedestrian safety and accountability on the roads. The tragic circumstances surrounding Gary Charlotin’s death highlight the urgent need for awareness and reforms in traffic regulations to better protect vulnerable pedestrians from similar fates in the future.
