Off-duty NYPD cop from Nassau nearly killed pedestrian in hit-and-run, DA says

Jatinderpal Singh, 26, allegedly sped through South Ozone Park, hit a 22-year-old woman and then told his passengers to lie to police

An off-duty NYPD cop struck a 22-year-old pedestrian and left her badly injured in the street while speeding through a Queens neighborhood — then tried to cover it up, prosecutors said.

Jatinderpal Singh, 26, of Valley Stream was arraigned on a 14-count indictment charging him with second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, two counts of tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy, among other charges, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced.

Singh, who resigned from the police force in May, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to all of the charges. Due back in court on Sept. 24, Sing faces seven years in prison if convicted of the most serious charges.

“As alleged, this defendant was sworn to uphold the law and instead showed complete disregard for the rules of the road as he sped through the streets of Queens and struck a pedestrian,” Katz said. “He then fled the scene, failed to help the victim and attempted to cover up his alleged actions.”

Prosecutors said Singh was speeding in a friend’s black Cadillac Escalade near Rockaway Boulevard and 122nd Place about 2:03 a.m. on March 14 when he hit the woman as she attempted to cross the street. Then, he kept going, driving off without calling for help or checking on the victim, according to the indictment.

The woman, who was knocked unconscious, was rushed to a local hospital with severe trauma to her head and torso. Doctors removed her spleen and inserted metal rods into her legs, prosecutors said.

Singh never reported the crash to his NYPD command, as officers are required to do, according to the DA’s office. Instead, investigators said, he had a passenger take the damaged Escalade to a repair shop in Centereach the next day.

Photos later obtained from the vehicle’s owner showed damage to the front end and a broken headlight, Katz said.

In addition to the assault, reckless endangerment, tampering and conspiracy charges, Singh faces counts of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, official misconduct, obstructing governmental administration, reckless driving, unreasonable speed, speeding, failing to stop at a red light, failing to stop at a stop sign and failure to exercise due care.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Peter Vallone ordered Singh to return to court Sept. 24. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

_{Top: Melinda Katz speaks during a public announcement last month (Facebook/Queens DA Office).}