Man convicted of trying to kill estranged wife with his vehicle

A jury convicted a man Monday of trying to hit and kill his estranged wife with a vehicle in Schenectady, last July.

Sherifullah Hashimi, 62, was found guilty in Schenectady County Court.

The Schenectady County District Attorney’s Office said surveillance video showed Hashimi circling an apartment complex on Frank Street and then following the victim in her vehicle.

The victim parked on Frank Street, and started walking across the street. She began running when she saw Hashimi coming at her. Hashimi sped up, and steered his vehicle across the oncoming lane and into the opposite shoulder. He then straightened the vehicle to strike her, prosecutors said.
The woman was thrown into the air and landed on top of the parked SUV.

The force of the vehicle pushed the SUV backwards and damaged two vehicles parked behind it, investigators said.

Hashimi got out of his vehicle and ran away. He turned himself in at the police station around 10 hours later, claiming he accidentally pushed the accelerator when trying to brake.

However, the vehicle’s computer system showed that he had his foot on the brake as recently as 3.05 seconds before the crash and pressed the accelerator at 100%.

The woman had orders of protection preventing Hashimi from contacting her after what she described at trial was a pattern of abusive behavior.

Hashimi was convicted of attempted murder, attempted assault, assault and other charges.

He faces 25 years in prison when sentenced on April 1.