A man who turned down a six-month plea deal after cops said he drunkenly drove his car off a Queensboro Bridge ramp — killing a pedestrian and destroying two businesses – now faces up to 25 years in jail .
Grant Riddell, 38, was indicted on drunk driving, vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and vehicular assault charges in the March 28, 2011 incident — the first of two deadly car crashes off of the newly named Ed Koch Bridge.
Riddell’s car flew off the bridge’s exit ramp and slammed into Anthony Buscemi walking on the sidewalk below. His attorney entered a “not guilty” plea today.
The 68-year-old Buscemi was pronounced dead at a local hospital and Riddell, a DJ who also goes by the name Kiwi, lost his left arm.
The fatal crash also destroyed two businesses on Queens Plaza South, Villa De Beaute and Espinal’s Caribbean Restaurant, the owners have a pending $1 million lawsuit against the city for the “poor construction” of the ramp – and Riddell.