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Teen fatally run down in Queens by man in SUV following argument, NYPD says
By
Amanda Rozon
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Sep 13, 2025
Modified Sep 14, 2025
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Dan Jardine / Shutterstock
By
Amanda Rozon
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Sep 13, 2025
Modified Sep 14, 2025
Share
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The NYPD said a man killed a 16-year-old girl by driving his car into her in Queens on Saturday after the two got into a verbal argument.
The collision happened just after 4 a.m. Saturday at Roosevelt Avenue and Benham Street in Elmhurst, according to the NYPD.
Police officials allege 38-year-old Edwin Cruz-Gomez drove a gray 2009 Chevrolet Suburban and hit the teenage victim, Jhoanny Gomez Alvarez, and the girl's 32-year-old mother with his car. Gomez Alvarez, who lived in Manhattan, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police officials allege Cruz-Gomez was intoxicated when he got behind the wheel. They said he got into an argument with Gomez Alvarez beforehand and appeared to target the teenager with his car. The mother was transported to Elmhurst Hospital in stable condition, according to police.
The NYPD said Cruz-Gomez tried to flee the scene in his car and later struck a parked and unoccupied vehicle on the same street before being taken into custody.
Police said Cruz-Gomez was charged with 12 different crimes, including murder, assault, vehicular manslaughter, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and unlicensed operation of a vehicle.
This story was updated with additional information from the NYPD.
Tagged
public safety
queens
Amanda Rozon
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Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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