Angel Reyes would rather have Italian food than turkey tonight. But after more than a month of hospital food, the 12-year-old boy, who survived the alleged drunk-driving accident that killed his best friend, is happy just to be home.
“It’s a great early Christmas gift,” Reyes said yesterday, before leaving St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital in Bayside, Queens
Angel has a learning disability because of his injury, but should return to JHS 168 next month, says his mother, Diana Reyes.
“With occupational and school therapy, we hope we can get him as close as we can to how he was before this horrible accident,” she said.
Angel and his friend Vasean Alleyne, 11, were crossing 150th Street at 73rd Avenue a block away from his Flushing home on Oct. 22 when they were hit.
A van driven by John Wirta, who is charged with drunken driving, struck the boys, killing Vasean.
Angel learned only a week ago that his friend did not survive, his mother said, and “it hit him pretty hard.”
Since Vasean’s death, his parents have been lobbying elected officials to change state law to make a DWI incident that results in serious injuries or death a felony.
Gov. Pataki and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver have both expressed their support.
Because Wirta was not speeding or driving recklessly, under current law he only faces a misdemeanor charge.
“Right now, John Wirta still has a driver’s license,” said Monique Dixon, Vasean’s mother. “He can still get drunk and still mow someone down. We decided to leave the state for the holidays – to get away from our home.”
Sanford Rubenstein, Reyes’ attorney, said new witnesses who have come forward to the Queens district attorney may provide the evidence necessary to up the charges.
Rubenstein, who is suing Wirta for $50 million on behalf of Angel, guided the boy through a series of carefully choreographed photo opportunities as he and the family left the hospital.
Diana Reyes said she looks forward to a quiet Thanksgiving with the family.