Cops nabbed the man who threw a fatal punch at a stranger after he accidentally bumped into him on a Manhattan street, police said Thursday.
Ariel Nunez, of Middletown, N.Y., was arrested Wednesday night in East Harlem, according to law enforcement. The slugger was hit with murder, reckless endangerment and assault charges for throwing a punch that knocked 63-year-old Charles Cunningham to the pavement on April 20.
Cunningham died from his injuries the next day at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital.
Police originally believed the victim died from an accidental fall when they found him unconscious with a head injury near E. 105th St. and Fifth Ave. at 11:30 a.m. that Thursday.
Investigators later recovered surveillance footage showing Cunningham walking south on Fifth Ave. when he accidentally bumped into Nunez.
An enraged Nunez, 40, turned around and punched Cunningham square in the face, police said.
The blow sent Cunningham flying backwards and he slammed his head on the pavement, according to cops.
Cunningham, who lived about seven blocks from the scene, is survived by an ex-wife, his son and twin brothers.
Nunez’s arraignment in Manhattan criminal court was pending Thursday afternoon.