MTA Bus Driver Arrested In Fatal NYC Hit-And-Run Crash, Cops Say

New York City NY

08 June, 2022

11:34 AM

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NEW YORK CITY — An MTA bus driver accused of a fatal hit-and-run while on a Staten Island route has been arrested, police said. Cops took Darrell Sweet, 52, of Brooklyn, into custody Tuesday on a leaving the scene of a fatal crash charge, authorities said. His arrest followed an NYPD investigation into an apparent hit-and-run May 13 that left Patrick Varriale, 69, of Staten Island, dead in the roadway near Forest Hill Road onto Platinum Avenue, police said. Sweet, in addition to his criminal charges, has been taken off MTA duty without pay ahead of a pre-disciplinary suspension, officials said. "What happened was tragic, we cooperated fully with the NYPD investigation and will have no further comment as the justice system does its work," said Frank Annicaro, acting president of MTA Bus Company, in a statement. The crash probe found that Sweet drove an MTA bus along Forest Hill Road about 4:30 a.m. He made a left turn onto Platinum Avenue, where Varriale was walking at the intersection, authorities said. Sweet struck Varriale with the bus, before he continued driving north along Platinum Avenue, police said. Medics declared Varriale dead at the scene, authorities said. Sweet faces a felony charge of leaving the scene of a crash, in addition to two related misdemeanors, according to court records. He has been released on his own recognizance, records show.