You are reading

Alleged Drunk Driver Faces up to 15 Years in Prison for Fatal Hit-and-Run of NYPD Officer

Officer Anastasios Tsakos (Source: NYPD)

May 10, 2021 By Allie Griffin

A Long Island woman who allegedly drove drunk and killed a NYPD Highway officer on the Long Island Expressway last month faces up to 15 years in prison, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday.

Jessica Beauvais, 32, has been indicted on charges of aggravated manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter and other crimes for allegedly striking Officer Anastasios Tsakos dead with her vehicle while drunk in the early hours of April 27.

She then fled the scene of the crash.

Tsakos, a 14-year veteran of the department, was was hit by Beauvais at around 2 a.m. while he was diverting traffic on the highway following a prior crash, according to court documents.

Beauvais, of Hempstead, was allegedly speeding in a 2013 Volkswagen Passat when she approached the scene of the original crash and struck Tsakos, sending him airborne into a nearby patch of grass.

She hit him with so much force that he was thrown nearly 40 feet in the air, Katz said.

Beauvais continued driving, according to the charges, before taking the Horace Harding Expressway ramp. She jumped the curb and mounted the sidewalk, where police surrounded her vehicle.

She then attempted to flee and put her car in reverse, ramming the police vehicle behind her before coming to a complete stop. Officers then arrested her and took her to the 112th Precinct house in Forest Hills, where she took a breathalyzer test, Katz said.

According to the test, she allegedly had a blood alcohol content of .15 — above the legal limit of .08 in New York State — about two hours after the fatal crash.

Officer Tsakos, a father of two young children, was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“Posthumously promoted to detective, Officer Anastasios Tsakos was struck while directing traffic and protecting New Yorkers in the aftermath of a fatal one-car crash early that morning,” Katz said in a statement. “This is heartbreaking, and a mother is left alone to raise a six-year-old and a three-year-old.”

Beauvais will be arraigned on May 25 at Queens Supreme Court on a 13-count indictment.

She faces charges of aggravated manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, operating a motor vehicle while under influence of alcohol and unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle among others.

“As alleged, there is a list of bad choices, from drinking and getting high and getting behind the wheel of a car, that ended tragically with the defendant running down Highway Officer Anastasios Tsakos and then trying to get away,” Katz said in a statement.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Ozone Park man indicted for kidnapping and assault of 11-year-old girl in Forest Park: DA

A Queens grand jury indicted an Ozone Park man for abducting an 11-year-old girl in Forest Park and sexually assaulting her before the victim’s father intervened in May.

Teddy Moussignac, 44, of 102nd Street, was arraigned Friday in Queens Supreme Court on a seven-count indictment charging him with kidnapping, assault, two counts of sexual assault in the first degree, and other related crimes.

From spa retreats to public pools: Queens has a swim spot for everyone

Jun. 13, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With temperatures rising and the official start of summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to find a pool in Queens to help you beat the heat. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing spa escape, a rooftop party spot, or a free afternoon swim in your neighborhood, Queens offers a range of pool experiences for every vibe and budget.

Outdoor bars and beer gardens to enjoy this summer in Queens

Jun. 11, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With sunsets past 8 p.m. and temperatures on the rise, now is the perfect time to grab a drink or a bite outdoors and soak in the sights and sounds of Queens. Whether you’re catching up with friends after work or planning a weekend brunch, the borough is filled with beer gardens, rooftop lounges, and patio spots to make the most of the season.