A New York City firefighter has been arrested after hitting two women while driving in the Bronx.
Police suspect veteran firefighter Sean Farrell of driving under the influence after he struck pregnant 42-year-old Mantaz Begun and a friend as they walked home from Montefiore Medical Center, according to The New York Daily News.
According to the victim’s family, Begun fell to the ground from the hit of the SUV and complained of stomach pains. She was taken to Jacobi Medical center where she delivered. The premature newborn was put on life support.
Begun was in the intensive care unit, unable to speak, and suffering from internal bleeding.
Begun’s friend was treated at for a broken pelvis and released.
This is not the first time Farrell has reportedly driven while under the influence. He was convicted in 2010 of DWI, according to police.
Farrell was charged with refusal to take a breath test and driving while intoxicated NBC New York reports.
“(We’re) really lucky my little sister is alive. She is our miracle baby,” Begun’s 17-year-old daughter, Mousumi Akhter said.
According to a spokesman FDNY, Farrell has been suspended for 30 days without pay and his bail is set to $200,00. His driver’s license has been suspended.
Farrell’s lawyer, Steven Kartagener, argued that Farrell’s bail should be lower as Farrell has been a firefighter for a decade and “earning his pay on a daily basis.” The lawyer also pointed out that Farrell stopped immediately and waited for police to respond to the accident. He also stated the accident wasn’t ‘egregious’ as prosectors made it seem, despite his client hitting two women, one of whom remains in the hospital.
The lawyer’s argument was unsuccessful and bail remained where the judge initially placed it.