East Hampton man busted trying to enter Honduras after fleeing deadly NYC hit-and-run: prosecutors

An East Hampton man who escaped to Ecuador after an alleged New Year’s Day hit-and-run that left one man dead and another in a vegetative state is now facing a slew of criminal charges after being caught while trying to enter Honduras, Queens prosecutors said Friday.

Jonnathan Barbecho, 30, has been indicted on charges that include vehicular manslaughter, vehicular assault, leaving the scene of an incident and driving under the influence for the Jan. 1 collision in Corona that claimed the life of 27-year-old Darwin Adrian Malan Cargua and seriously injured Luis Paco Romero Gaucho, 23.

“As alleged, this defendant turned what should have been a night of celebration into one of tragedy when he drove drunk and plowed into two young men who were crossing the street…” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “The defendant then fled from the crash and left the country on a one-way ticket.”

Officials said the two victims were in a crosswalk at 102nd Street and 37th Avenue around 4 a.m. when Barbecho slammed into them in a white Chevrolet Traverse SUV while driving two companions home from a nearby bar at a high rate of speed.

The Daily News reported that an Interpol “Red Notice” request sent to international law enforcement agencies led to Barbecho’s arrest as he tried to enter Honduras.

“Thank you to our federal law enforcement partners, he has been returned to Queens to face serious charges against him,” Katz said.

Malan Cargua was declared dead at the scene from head injuries after being thrown beneath a parked car. Gaucho, who was one day away from turning 24, has since undergone multiple surgeries, officials said.

Barbecho faces more than 25 years in prison if convicted. He is due to return to Queens Supreme Court on Aug. 21.

Top: A police car drives through the Brooklyn borough of New York, Dec. 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File)