Asil Assaidi, a 22-year-old Bronx man, was arraigned last Friday on charges related to a chaotic and fiery car meetup along the Middle Village-Maspeth border. The incident, which took place on Saturday evening, April 18, saw Assaidi allegedly driving in circles and figure-eight patterns through rings of ignited liquid. The intersection of 69th Street and Eliot Avenue was flooded with approximately 100 people and 50 vehicles when the stunts began. According to the criminal complaint, Assaidi performed multiple maneuvers through the flames, nearly striking pedestrians standing nearby. The location was particularly hazardous: The stunts occurred in close proximity to two gas stations.
Witnesses noted that at least one car involved in the meetup was waving a giant Palestinian flag as it sped around the intersection. Video of the reckless display quickly went viral on social media, drawing widespread condemnation. District Attorney Melinda Katz warned of the potential for tragedy: “As alleged, this defendant put countless people in peril as he recklessly drove on a fiery street near pedestrians and gas stations. This careless stunt very easily could have ended in injuries and death.” When NYPD officers arrived to break up the gathering around 1:50 a.m., the scene turned into a riot. One individual used a traffic barrier to block a marked patrol car, while two others jumped onto the hood of the vehicle and cracked the windshield before fleeing into the departing crowd. Assaidi was later identified as a driver through the viral footage and other video evidence.
Assaidi faces a six-count complaint, including first-degree reckless endangerment and second-degree riot. Under current New York State law, these charges are not bail eligible. If convicted of the top charge, Assaidi faces up to seven years in prison. He was ordered to return to court on Thursday, May 14. The investigation into the organizers and other participants who were captured in the viral clips remains ongoing.