SUV driver who struck 16-year-old girl on Queens sidewalk attempted to offer money for sex, according to the district attorney.
An unlicensed driver has been charged with murder after allegedly intentionally driving his SUV into a teenage girl on the sidewalk in Queens, New York. According to prosecutors, the driver, Edwin Cruz Gomez, 38, instigated the interaction moments before the collision by attempting to solicit the 16-year-old victim and her mother for prostitution.
The incident occurred early Saturday morning, just before 4:15 a.m., at the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and Benham Street in the Jackson Heights neighborhood. Reports indicate that Cruz Gomez drove his approximately 6,000-pound Chevrolet Suburban onto the sidewalk, colliding with Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez and injuring her mother and stepfather in the process. The Queens District Attorney, Melinda Katz, stated that Cruz Gomez had a blood alcohol content of 0.137, nearly twice the legal limit.
Following his arraignment on multiple charges, including murder, attempted murder, and driving while intoxicated (DWI), Cruz Gomez was ordered held without bail. His alleged actions occurred after he and his associates were congregated outside a local restaurant. Witnesses reported that Cruz Gomez offered money to the victims for sexual services. When confronted by the young girl’s boyfriend and stepfather, the situation escalated, leading to a physical dispute which bystanders intervened to diffuse.
In a moment of apparent premeditation, Cruz Gomez returned to his vehicle and drove toward the group of four individuals, reportedly aiming directly at them. The prosecution has claimed that he pinned Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez against a pole with his vehicle, which ultimately resulted in her death. Despite the severe injuries inflicted upon her mother, she was transported to Elmhurst Hospital, where she is expected to recover; the stepfather sustained minor injuries.
Cruz Gomez reportedly remained on the scene for a brief period before fleeing, during which he struck a parked vehicle and was subsequently apprehended by responding police officers. A local store cashier recounted the moments following the incident, stating that Cruz Gomez attempted to escape down a one-way street.
The tragic incident has left the victim’s family mourning the loss of a bright young life. Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez was a resident of Washington Heights. This case highlights the increasing concerns regarding reckless driving behaviors and the impact of impaired driving on community safety. The legal proceedings ahead are expected to draw significant public attention as the case unfolds.
