Brooklyn Man Sentenced to 15 to Life For Killing Local Business Owner With Stolen Truck

A Brooklyn man was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison today for running over and killing a man as he was stealing the victim’s truck in 2016.

The sentencing of Joshua Colon was announced in a statement from the Acting District Attorney’s Office. Colon pleaded guilty to second-degree murder last month.

Joshua Colon was 24 at the time of his arrest, though he’d built up an extensive rap sheet. He was less than two weeks out of prison when he killed Phil Dellegrazie, 63, in Greenwood.

Dellegrazie, owner of A & D Iron Works (305 24th Street, between 4th and 5th Avenues), was loading materials into his truck when the suspect jumped into the vehicle and sped away.

The victim got into his black SUV and chased the suspect towards 4th Avenue. Once the two vehicles were stuck in traffic, Dellegrazie got out of his car and climbed onto the side of the truck to confront Colon, demanding he turn off the truck and exit the vehicle.

A scuffle ensued, and Dellegrazie was pushed from the truck and run over as Colon sped off, killing the man instantly. The defendant then abandoned the truck and was arrested later while trying to steal another vehicle.

“This defendant not only ripped an innocent, hardworking man from his children and family, but also robbed the community and his employees of a beloved colleague and friend,” said Acting District Attorney Gonzalez in a statement. “Today’s sentence will not heal his loved ones’ wounds, but I hope it will provide them with a small measure of solace.”

At the time of his death, stunned neighbors remembered Dellegrazie fondly, citing his generosity, and that “he’d give you the shirt off his back… He’s done so much for the neighborhood.”