Driver facing DWI charges after allegedly striking, killing teenage girl in Queens
Surveillance video shows the moment the driver of an SUV jumped a curb before striking and killing a teenager in Queens early Saturday morning.
The suspect, identified as Uniondale resident Edwin Cruz Gomez, is now facing multiple charges, including driving while intoxicated.
Video shows driver trying to flee scene after deadly crash
Video shows the suspect driving down Roosevelt Avenue around 4:15 a.m. before going up on the sidewalk near the corner of Benham Street.
Several pedestrians are seen jumping out of the way, but police say the suspect then hit a 32-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl.
The video then shows the driver back up with both driver's side doors open. At least two pedestrians appear to try to stop the driver before he takes off, going the wrong way down Benham Street.
The driver then crashed into an unoccupied, parked car. A utility pole was also damaged.
Driver charged with murder, DWI
The 16-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene. She has been identified as Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez.
The 32-year-old woman was taken to a local hospital, where she was last reported to be in stable condition.
Cruz Gomez was taken into custody at the scene.
"He was sitting on the floor, and he was crying and hysterical and trying to cope, I guess, with what he just did, and he did seem like he was intoxicated," one witness said.
Cruz Gomez, 38, now faces a slew of charges, including murder, attempted murder, driving without a license and operating a motor vehicle with a Blood Alcohol Content of .08% or higher.
Some in the area said they want to see a more watchful eye in the neighborhood.
"Especially at, like, 4 a.m., they have to do more checkups because people get drunk and they go in the car and they go home," Uber Eats driver Sergio Gonzalez said.
"Friday, Saturday night, very bad around here. You don't go out past 4 o'clock," Elmhurst resident Audrey Lopez said.
Roosevelt Avenue near 91st and Benham streets was closed throughout the day as police investigated.