Danielle Aronsen, 29, of Sunset Park, died after she fell from the back of an SUV around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday in Bay Ridge, authorities said. Aronsen was riding in the backseat of a 2002 GMC Envoy. The car was swerving wildly down Fifth Avenue with the back car door wide open, according to witnesses, when the driver made a right turn onto Bay Ridge Parkway.
Aronsen was ejected from the car and hit her head on the pavement. Officers who were at the scene found her lying on the road with head trauma. She was rushed to Lutheran Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at around 2:54 a.m.
The driver was identified as her longtime boyfriend, Andrew Berkowitz, 35. According to reports, the couple were already tipsy when they entered the Bean Post Pub in Bay Ridge. Sources said they were seen bickering after they left the bar.
When Aronsen fell out of the car, Berkowitz proceeded to drive around the block before returning to the scene a few minutes later, authorities said. He refused a Breathalyzer test at the scene.
When Berkowitz showed up at the hospital where Aronsen was taken to, law enforcement officials arrested him on charges of manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene of an accident, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.
Berkowitz is being held at the 68th Precinct station pending arraignment. Police officers were trying to obtain a court order for a blood test, according to reports.
If a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident, please contact Jared Levine of Morgan Levine Dolan at 212-461-499 today.
Source: http://patch.com/new-york/windsorterrace/brooklyn-woman-falls-out-suv-dies-alcohol-possibly-factor
