A Morris Park man that had just been released from the detox program at Jacobi Medical Center was fatally struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver on Friday, September 14.
Raymond Boland, 57, of Fowler Avenue, was hit by a car driven by 33-year-old Shakira Price, a teacher assigned to the Lehman High School Campus, as he crossed the street just outside the Bronx hospital, according to police and hospital sources.
The victim was crossing at the corner of Seymour Avenue and Pelham Parkway South around 9:50 a.m. when Price, whom was heading east on Pelham Parkway South rammed into him with her white 2010 Toyota.
Police said that Bolan was in the crosswalk, had the right of way and was dragged some distance by Price’s car. The incident happened a short distance from the 49th Precinct stationhouse.
NYPD later arrested Price, charging her with Vehicular Manslaughter, Vehicular Assault 1.18 of 1% or more ALC, DWI, and DWAI according to police. Police officers said her eyes appeared bloodshot and she had been slurring her words.
Price teaches English and History at Schuylerville Preparatory High School at 3000 E. Tremont Avenue.
It is not clear if Price had been at the school prior to her arrest.
Police say that Price had collided moments earlier with an elderly driver of a 2002 Kia, who was following her as she tried to leave the scene of the accident near Eastchester Road and Pelham Parkway.
In Price’s bid to get away, she inadvertently hit and killed Bolan, according to sources.
Bolan suffered body trauma and was rushed back to Jacobi, where he was pronounced dead.
The detox program Bolan enrolled in was for substance abuse rehabilitation.
Both Price and the eldery driver stayed at the scene. Price was then taken into police custody on suspicion of drunk driving.
She was ordered to post $200,000 bail during her arraignment in court.
The NYPD Highway Collision Squad is investigating the fatal crash.
Community Board 11 chairman Al D’Angelo said that these kind of incidents aren’t common onPelham Parkway.
“There’s usually a lot of fender benders and minor accidents, but major accidents like this don’t tend to happen often,” D’Angelo said.
He went on to explain that the speed limit on Pelham Parkway is low and that the roadway’s heavy use keeps it even lower.
“Between everything going on at the hospital and school busses from the charter school off Pelham Parkway, usually it’s bumper to bumper. So high speed collisions are uncommon for the most part because people are just sitting in traffic,” the chairman added.
The NYC Department of Education said that Price will not be returning to the classroom and will likely face job terminatation.
A DOE statement said, “This is a tragic incident and our hearts go out to victim’s family…allegations are appalling and disgraceful. Ms. Price has already been reassigned away from the classroom and we’re pursuing her removal from payroll as soon as legally possible.”
