Watch CBS News

Cops: Off-Duty Firefighter Drove Drunk, Struck 2 Women

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- An off-duty firefighter is accused of driving drunk and hitting two women with his SUV, one of whom was pregnant.

Sean Farrell, 39, a lieutenant with the FDNY's Battalion 16 in Harlem, was driving on White Plains Road near Westchester Avenue in the Bronx around 6 p.m. Wednesday when he struck the women, police said.

As CBS 2's Dick Brennan reported, Farrell was also arrested for DWI in 2010, when he allegedly got into a fender bender and then a fight with a cab driver.

Farrell remained at the scene of Wednesday's accident, told officers he had drank two beers and refused to take a Breathalyzer test, police said. He's been charged with DWI and refusing to take a breath test.

He was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday night.

Mamtaz Begun, 42, who was seven months pregnant, was walking across the street with a 39-year-old friend when they were struck.

Begun was rushed to Jacobi Medical Center, where the baby, a girl, was delivered successfully.

While both victims are in stable condition with back and neck injuries, Mousami Alchter, Begun's 17-year-old daughter, was in tears as she discussed her mother's injuries with Brennan.

"She don't talk to anyone.," Alchter said. " ... She was bleeding too much, and the doctor told her now you cannot talk to anyone."

Alchter said Begun was on the way home from a doctor visit at the time of the accident.

She said doctors have some concerns about the strength of the baby's heart, but added she is expected to be fine.

Farrell, a 10-year veteran, has been suspended for 30 days without pay, an FDNY spokeswoman said. Attorney information for him wasn't immediately available.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.