Queens Man Arrested On Drunk Driving Charges After Crashing Car & Toppling Lamppost Into Union Sq. Park Playground

A toppled lamp post near the swing area in Union Square Park.  A Queens man was arrested  on Sunday and charged with drunk driving after he crashed his vehicle into the park.   (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click in images to enlarge.

Manhattan

By Geoffrey Croft

A Queens man was arrested for drunk driving early Sunday morning by police in Union Square Park after crashing his vehicle into a lamp post which fell into a playground NYC Park Advocates has learned.


A portion of the lamp post at the park's entrance on 16th Street near Union Square West.

Bassam Richard,  31, of Queens was charged with DWI and destruction of government property.    

Richard entered the park from the Northeast corner of Union Square West and 16th Street and drove his vehicle on the sidewalk 100 feet and into a park safety lamp. The light toppled over into a planted area in Evelyn's Playground striking a tree and narrowly missing the swing set.

The incident happened at approximately 3:30 A.M.  

The driver was taken to Bellevue Hospital with unknown injuries. 

Sections of the destroyed lamp post lie scattered on the ground.  

The vehicle entered on the park sidewalk at 16th street and drove 100 feet  before striking the lamp post.