QUEENS, NY – A man accused of intentionally driving his SUV onto a sidewalk and killing a 16-year-old girl following a street altercation has been charged with murder, police said.
Edwin Cruz Gomez, 38, of Uniondale, Long Island, allegedly slammed his 2009 gray Chevrolet Suburban into Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez and her 32-year-old mother early Saturday morning in Jackson Heights, after making a lewd comment to the teen and arguing with her group.
The incident began around 4:15 a.m. near Roosevelt Ave. and Benham St., under the elevated No. 7 train. Witnesses say Cruz Gomez, appearing intoxicated, shouted a crude remark at the teen, sparking an argument between him, Jhoanny, her mother, and two men—one believed to be her boyfriend.
After the group walked away, Cruz Gomez allegedly got into his SUV, mounted the sidewalk, and deliberately drove into them, according to police. Jhoanny was killed at the scene; her mother was hospitalized in stable condition.
Cruz Gomez fled the scene but crashed nearby and was soon arrested. He faces multiple charges, including:
Second-degree murder
Vehicular manslaughter
DWI
Driving without a valid license
Leaving the scene of a fatal crash
Weapon possession (4 counts)
A local deli cashier who witnessed the crash said: “He did it on purpose. He turned and hit her in the back. Then he tried to run.”
Cruz Gomez was taken to a hospital after his arrest, delaying his court arraignment. His face appeared bruised from the crash as police led him from the 110th Precinct in handcuffs Sunday.
