South Ozone Park demands justice for local leader killed by hit-and-run driver

Community members have built a memorial for Ritawantee Persaud, who was killed last week. Photo courtesy of Zaman Mohamed Amin

By Rachel Vick

In nightly vigils, social media posts and powerful calls for justice, South Ozone Park residents and South Asians across New York City have continued to honor Ritawantee Persaud, a singer, mentor and family member killed by a hit-and-run driver near her home on Dec. 24.

An accountant by day, Persaud dedicated her free time to singing Hindu hymns and doing community service that influenced the lives of many of her neighbors.

“She always believed that I could sing and really pushed me and other young people,” community organizer Aminta Kilawin-Narine told the Eagle. 

Kilawan-Narine said she had looked up to Persaud since she was 9 years old.

“She encouraged others to be brave and courageous in all that we do, to believe in ourselves and be the best we can be in all that we do,” Kilawan-Narine said. “I am one of so many people who leaned on her for support.”

The Christmas Eve collision death of the 54-year-old Persaud has mobilized Kilawan-Narine and other members of the Hindu West Indian community she helped shape in a call for justice. 

“She told us to use our voices — she meant for singing,” Kilawan-Narine said. “Today we use our voices to demand justice and call on our South Queens community to help locate and ultimately convict the spineless person responsible for taking Aunty Reets’ life.”

Kilawan-Narine is helping organize a rally next week to ensure that the “momentum is not lost in finding her killer, who cowardly ran away.” 

On Dec. 24 a man driving a Lamborghini struck the back of the Uber carrying Persaud near her home in South Ozone Park. The crash killed Persaud and injured the driver. A passenger in the Lamborghini was also hurt, but the unidentified driver fled on foot.

The NYPD said they have not yet identified the driver and the investigation is ongoing, but Assemblymember-elect Jenifer Rajkumar said the 102nd Precinct is devoting significant energy to the investigation.

 “My heart breaks at the tragic passing of beloved community leader Ritwantee Persaud on Christmas Eve,” Rajkumar said. “I am confident that the NYPD will use its full resources to ensure the perpetrator is apprehended and brought to justice.”