Howard Beach man dies in police custody after release from Jamaica Hospital

The 106th Precinct, where Howard Beach resident Nicholas Cammarata died Thursday. Google Maps

By David Brand

A 58-year-old man died inside a cell in a Queens police precinct Thursday night, after he was released from a local hospital following a driving while intoxicated arrest at least seven hours earlier, police said.

The man, Howard Beach resident Nicholas Cammarata, was found unconscious in a cell at the 106th Precinct station house shortly before 9:22 p.m. More than 45 minutes later, at 10:08 p.m., EMS workers pronounced him dead. 

His death came at least seven hours after he was arrested for driving while ability impaired by drugs earlier in the day. Cammarata had allegedly crashed his car at the corner of Cross Bay Boulevard and Linden Boulevard at around 2 p.m., police said. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital for treatment and released into police custody at about 7 p.m. 

Cops took him to the 106th Precinct, where he died at least two hours later, according to the NYPD account. 

A police spokesperson said Cammarata had admitted to using heroin earlier in the day. A Jamaica Hospital spokesperson could not confirm that information.

The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division, which investigates use of excessive force by officers and all deaths in police custody, is looking into the circumstances of Cammarata’s death, police said. 

The city medical examiner will determine the cause of death.