WESTCHESTER COUNTY MAN CONVICTED OF RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT FOR LEADING POLICE ON A HIGH SPEED CAR CHASE

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a thirty year old drug suspect, who led police on a high speed car chase into neighboring Yonkers and back into the Bronx, has pled guilty to one count of Reckless Endangerment in the first degree.

Nicholas Bellusci, of Thornwood, New York, admitted that "under circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life" he engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death to another person by driving in a reckless manner and at a high and excessive rate of speed on October 21, 2003. Bellusci, in an effort to elude capture, led police on the high speed chase along Jerome Avenue, Mosholu Parkway, the Saw Mill River Parkway, Briggs Avenue and Gun Hill Road. During the pursuit, Bellusci’s vehicle struck a number of other vehicles including cars driven by police officers and civilians, thereby endangering other motorists as well as pedestrians.

Judge Robert Torres set sentencing for Wednesday, December 17, 2003 in Part F. Under terms of the plea agreement, Bellusci will be sentenced, as a predicate felony offender, to a term of three to six years imprisonment.

Bellusci has two prior felony convictions, for criminal possession of stolen property in 1996 and attempted burglary in 1993.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Alex Zigman.