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Reward offered for hit and run driver who killed Queen’s Irish barman

Maspecth community rally support to find driver

MOLLY MULDOON,

Irish Voice Reporter

Published Friday, November 11, 2011, 5:12 PM

Updated Friday, November 11, 2011, 5:12 PM

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Peter Rodriguez, the suspect wanted by the NYPD

Photo by NYPD handout

A reward of $10,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspect wanted in connection with the hit-and-run death last month of popular Maspeth bar owner George Gibbons.

The Justice for George Gibbons campaign was established by the family and friends of Gibbons. Over 100 people, including family members, government and civic leaders assembled at the first press conference on Tuesday morning at Maspeth Federal Bank on Grand Avenue in Queens.

“The community here in Maspeth has gathered the reward,” Bernadette Gibbons, George’s sister, told the Irish Voice.

The NYPD have identified the suspect wanted in connection with the fatal wrong-way crash on the LIE, which claimed the life of Gibbons on October 15.

Authorities have released a photo of 36-year-old Hispanic Peter Rodriguez, with a last known address of 72 De Sales Place in Brooklyn. They are asking for the public’s assistance in tracking him down.

An NYPD spokesman confirmed to the Irish Voice on Tuesday that the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made to date.

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The suspect, who was known to police, had previously been arrested on drug charges, assault and other violent crimes. The Brooklyn resident had also done several stints in prison relating to his extensive rap sheet.

George’s younger sister Bernadette, who worked alongside her brother at his Irish bar, Gibbons Home, appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

“We are just trying to get the word out there,” she told the Irish Voice.

“We want everyone to keep their eyes peeled, somebody must know where he is. If anyone is withholding information they are equally guilty for the crime he committed and for the hurt he has caused our family.

“We are also getting wanted posters printed and plan to spread them around Brooklyn,” she said, adding that anyone who would like to help should contact them through The Gibbons Home Facebook page.

“To see the community come together yet again is very heart warming,” Gibbons said. “George is getting back what he gave throughout the years.”

The fatal crash occurred on Saturday, October 15, shortly after 6 a.m., when the 37-year-old owner of the Gibbons Home in Maspeth was making the journey home in a cab after he finished work. The driver had only gone a few blocks from the popular Queens bar when a wrong-way driver crashed into the vehicle on the service road of the Long Island Expressway.

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ODATPAT | Nov 08, 2011, 05:31 PM EST

On November 8Th, 2011, I was walking my dog on Freedom Drive, Street or Road off Myrtle Ave in Queens @ approximately 2:30pm. I saw a person wrapped in blankets with Hispanic complexion legs uncovered; sleeping on a park bench. I walked across the street into Forest Park & noticed a patrol car. I asked the officers if they were permitted to take a look at the person on the bench. I was not given an answer. I then showed them a color picture of hit & run driver Peter Rodriguez; which I have in my phone. They told me they didn't know anything about this incident which happened on October 15Th of 2011. I then explained; Peter Rodriguez killed George Gibbons, brother of Officer Brendon Gibbons, thinking they would then take this incident more seriously being it was a fellow officers family member. The officers drove to the person on the park bench. I watched threw the trees. While still in the patrol car, they sounded their whoop whoop. There was no response from the body on the park bench. A second whoop, still no response & then a third. The officers never left the car, turned the car around & drove back into the park. They noticed I was watching & stopped near where I was standing. I said to the officer in the passenger seat, I guess you're not allowed to check the person. The officer responded, "It's not a man, it's a female." How would they know that; when they never left the car & the person on the park bench never took the covering on his or her head. Still not feeling comfortable, I called 911. The lady on the phone said it was not an emergency. I found this so frustrating. What ever happened to, "See Something, Say Something". I don't care about the $10,000 reward. I care about investigating a situation. Again, the officers were right there yet never left the car to see the person.

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crny925 | Nov 02, 2011, 10:29 AM EDT

It is disgraceful that repeat offenders get continuously get slaps on the wrist until they ultimately commit murder! The Justice System failed George Gibbons and his family.

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