Driver Facing Charges In Wrong Way Crash That Seriously Injured Cyclist In Midtown

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man accused of mowing down a cyclist in a wrong way crash in Midtown is set to face a judge.

Officers walked Raheem Addison out of the Midtown South Precinct Monday morning. The 28-year-old had no words for reporters after a night in jail, now charged in the crash that's left the cyclist in critical condition, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.

Investigators said it all began around 7:30 p.m. Sunday after a 911 call reporting that Addison was driving the car erratically in a parking garage on 34th Street.

When police arrived, they say Addison took off. As officers tried to stop him, investigators said Addison turned the wrong way onto 7th Avenue against traffic, hitting the cyclist as he made the turn.

"We did pull him over and when he tried to get away, he did strike a male," Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said.

The impact shattered the windshield of the black sedan, sending the cyclist flying.

"The guy picked up speed, he pressed on the gas then all of a sudden, then 'bam!'" one witness said. "We ran right here, we see the guy laying there."

"They was pulling him over and suddenly he stopped. He pulled off and that's when he hit the guy," said another witness.

Witnesses say Addison and his passenger then ditched the car and began to run from the crash scene. Officers quickly caught up with them, taking both into custody on 35th Street.

Addison is facing charges including driving with a suspended license, vehicular assault and DWI. Police say his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.

"He was clearly drunk," Boyce said, adding that Addison has 21 prior arrests.

The passenger in the car has been released from police custody.

The cyclist remains in critical but stable condition at Bellevue Hospital.