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Flushing man hit by alleged drunk driver

By Alexander Dworkowitz

A Flushing man was struck and killed by a driver charged with driving while intoxicated as the pedestrian crossed the street a block from his home, police said.

Michael Callas, 32, who lived on 26th Avenue between 146th and 144th streets, died at the scene of the accident in front of 146-41 26th Ave. about 5:15 a.m. Sunday, police said.

Michael Carillo, 22, who lives in an apartment building at 31st Drive off 138th Street, about a half mile from the scene, was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, authorities said.

Callas was crossing 26th Avenue when he was struck by an eastbound 2000 Nissan driven by Carillo, police said.

The Nissan then careened into a parked minivan, police said.

A 20-year-old woman riding in the Nissan with Carillo was not injured in the crash, police said.

Carillo was taken to State Supreme Court in Kew Gardens and arraigned in front of Judge Pauline Mullings the day of the accident, the Queens district attorney’s office said.

Mullings set bail at $10,000, which Carillo had not made as of Tuesday, according to a spokesman at the district attorney’s office. Carillo was scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 15.

Neighbors said Callas had lived on the block about two years and had married about a year before.

Callas was returning from a friend’s birthday celebration when he was struck, Newsday reported.

Reach reporter Alexander Dworkowitz by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 141.