A mother of four died after being struck by an alleged drunk driver while she rode a scooter just blocks away from her home, the New York City Police Department said.
At a Glance
- Blancamir Arias-Miranda, 54, was riding her electric scooter in a bike lane when she was hit by a Honda Civic at 1:45 a.m. on Jan. 4
- She survived two days in critical condition before dying on Jan. 6, leaving behind four children and grandchildren
- Driver Ryan Rampersaud, 29, stayed at the scene and faces multiple charges including DWI and vehicular assault
- A GoFundMe has raised over $48,000 toward a $100,000 goal to cover funeral costs and household bills
The Collision
Officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Jan. 4 for a motor vehicle collision near Crescent Street and 30th Drive. A 2009 Honda Civic struck a 2021 Hiboy electric stand-up scooter, according to the NYPD statement provided to News Of Los Angeles on Jan. 14.
Arias-Miranda was riding in the bike lane when she was hit and “ejected onto the roadway.”
EMS transported her to NYC Health and Hospitals / Elmhurst in stable but critical condition. She succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased on Jan. 6.
The Driver
The driver of the Honda Civic, identified as 29-year-old Ryan Rampersaud, did not sustain injuries and remained at the scene of the accident.
Rampersaud was charged with:
- Vehicular Assault
- Driving While Ability Impaired
- Driving While Intoxicated
- Refusal to take Breathalyzer Test
A Family’s Loss
According to a GoFundMe mentioned by the New York Daily News, Arias-Miranda was a mother of four and grandmother. Her family is now dealing “with unimaginable grief and sadness.”
“Shortly after the New Year, in the early hours of the morning, Blanca was heading back home when her life was senselessly cut short. Just blocks away from her house, she was struck and killed by [an alleged] drunk driver,” the GoFundMe post reads.
“After days in the ICU, we were notified that our mother was no longer in her body. In a single, devastating moment, a preventable act forever changed our family’s lives and left us grappling with a loss that feels impossible to comprehend.”
As of Tuesday evening, Jan. 14, the fundraiser has reached just over $48,000 of its $100,000 goal.
Remembering Blanca
Arias-Miranda was remembered as “a proud grandmother whose greatest joy was caring for and protecting those she loved.”
The matriarch held her family together with “strength, warmth, and unwavering support,” and now her loss leaves her loved ones with a void that “can never truly be filled.”
Her GoFundMe will cover:
- Funeral and memorial services
- Ongoing household bills
- Legal costs tied to the proceedings surrounding her untimely passing
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation remains ongoing by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad, police said.
Key Takeaways
- A 54-year-old mother of four died after an alleged drunk driver struck her electric scooter
- The collision occurred just blocks from her home in the early morning hours
- The driver faces multiple charges and remained at the scene
- The family seeks justice while raising funds for expenses through a GoFundMe campaign
