December 01, 2023
Police have arrested a 20-year-old man after a 3-year-old boy was struck and killed in a hit-and-run on Wednesday night in Queens, according to ABC News.
The young man named Kevin Gomez was arrested and charged on Thursday with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
The victim, Quintas Chen, and his family were returning home from a doctor's visit when the incident occurred in the Flushing district of Queen, in front of College Point Boulevard and 41st Avenue.
Chen allegedly crossed in front of the 2014 Infiniti Q50 as it was leaving a parking space on College Point Boulevard close to 41st Avenue, according to officials.
As the sedan drove south on College Point Boulevard, the child was struck by the car's left front tires. He was declared dead after being brought to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital.
According to police, the driver of the vehicle fled the scene but officials found the sedan four blocks away.
The Chen family said they will always cherish their son who did not have a worry in the world. But his parents are now left with many worries and grief.
Local lawmakers and police made an urgent plea to the public on Thursday.
"I know how dangerous it is on College Point, as you can see, the vehicles are parked and backing out every day, it is not a safe sidewalk for families," said state Assemblyman Ron Kim.
The vehicle was parked in a no-standing zone outside a "chaotic strip mall". The active driveway nearby is commonly blocked as pedestrians weave in and out of traffic jams.
"I know the unimaginable heartache and I'm outraged another family has to experience what we endured," said Amy Tam-Liao, founder of Families for Safe Streets.
The family is now raising money to bury the 3-year-old child in Oklahoma where his grandparents are buried.