Cyclist struck by vehicle fleeing police in Astoria, Queens; 1 person in custody

A cyclist remains in critical condition after being struck during a police chase in Queens on Wednesday, ABC 7 News reports.
 

Police sources informed that officers attempted to pull over a car near 35th Avenue and 29th Street in Astoria because the plates did not match the vehicle.
 

The vehicle sped off, striking a 39-year-old male cyclist while fleeing from officers.
 

Witness Julia Marotta remarked that the police pursuit seemed dangerous on such crowded streets with many pedestrians.
 

"I think cops shouldn't be running and chasing cars, risking killing kids and people that walk in the streets," Marotta said. "I think that is kind of irresponsible to do."
 

The victim was conscious at the scene and is expected to survive, according to police sources. He was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst in critical condition.
 

Meanwhile, police took one person into custody. They identified the driver as 46-year-old Harold Vega, who was driving a 2003 gray Nissan Altima with mismatched license plates when police attempted to stop him.
 

Vega refused to stop and continued north through Astoria, Queens. He was heading west on 31st Avenue, approaching Crescent Street, when he ran a red light and swerved into the bike lanes, striking the cyclist, who was riding southbound on Crescent Street.
 

Vega then fled the scene, with police in pursuit. They caught up with him several blocks away at 24th Drive and 23rd Street, where he crashed into a parked car.
 

Vega sustained a minor head injury from the collisions and was treated at Elmhurst Hospital.
 

He faces multiple charges, including reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident with injury, fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration, reckless driving, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, and driving without a license.