Joseph Columbus, 41, was arraigned Wednesday, May 13, on a superseding felony complaint charging him with first-degree reckless endangerment, reckless driving, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, and three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced on Wednesday, May 20.
According to prosecutors, the incident happened on Saturday, May 2, at around 8:05 p.m. on the Saw Mill River Parkway.
The DA’s Office alleges Columbus was driving a 2007 BMW at a high rate of speed while swerving between lanes, nearly striking both a police vehicle and another civilian vehicle. Prosecutors said he also drove through a red light without slowing down.
After police tried to stop the vehicle while using lights and sirens, Columbus allegedly drove off while his three minor children were inside the car, accelerating to speeds more than 25 mph over the posted limit, according to the felony complaint.
The pursuit ended when Columbus crashed the BMW, prosecutors said. Authorities further allege he refused repeated commands to exit the vehicle after the crash.
The case was investigated by the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson Police Department.
At a bail hearing on Friday, May 15, Judge Erin McGoey set bail at $5,000 cash, $10,000 bond, or $25,000 partially secured bond. Columbus is due back in court on June 3.
Dog Attacks
Columbus has also recently drawn attention for unrelated allegations involving two pit bulls connected to multiple attacks in Manhattan, the NY Post reported.
According to reporting by the outlet, Columbus was jailed in December 2025 after repeatedly refusing to comply with a court order directing him to surrender his pit bulls, Rambo and Zoey, following several attacks, including one that severely injured a Chihuahua named Penny and another that allegedly resulted in the death of a different dog.
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The Post also reported that Columbus was recently seen walking a new brown puppy in Manhattan weeks before the Westchester pursuit.
Additionally, the outlet reported Columbus had previously been accused of leading sheriff’s deputies on another chase in Manhattan in June 2025 while authorities attempted to detain him over the missing pit bulls.