Queens, New York — A 38-year-old Uniondale man has been charged with murder and multiple other offenses after prosecutors say he deliberately drove his SUV into a family in Elmhurst early Saturday morning, killing a 16-year-old girl and injuring her mother and stepfather, authorities announced.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, Edwin Cruz Gomez approached the teen, identified as Jhoanny Alvarez, and her mother outside the Prima Donna Restaurant on Roosevelt Avenue around 4:10 a.m. and allegedly made crude sexual remarks and offered money for sexual acts. A verbal dispute quickly escalated into a physical confrontation involving the victim’s stepfather before bystanders intervened.
After the fight was broken up, prosecutors say Cruz Gomez got into his Chevrolet Suburban, mounted the sidewalk and accelerated toward Alvarez, her mother, stepfather and the teen’s boyfriend, striking them as they walked away from the restaurant. The vehicle is alleged to have pinned Alvarez against a pole. Emergency crews pronounced the teenager dead at the scene. Her mother and stepfather were taken to Elmhurst Hospital with injuries.
Police and prosecutors allege Cruz Gomez intentionally targeted the group. After hitting the family, he is accused of putting the SUV in reverse, striking an unoccupied van and attempting to flee on foot before approaching NYPD officers and leading them back to the scene.
Court records show his blood alcohol content was measured at 0.137%, well above the legal limit of 0.08%.
Cruz Gomez, who also faces charges including attempted murder, assault, vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and related offenses, was arraigned on a 15-count indictment this week, according to prosecutors.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer, stating Cruz Gomez is in the country illegally, and authorities say he crossed the border multiple times.
If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz’s office said.
Local residents and officials have expressed shock at the violent incident, which has renewed calls for stricter enforcement of DUI and public safety laws in the community.
