NYC Teen Girl Fatally Mowed Down After Confrontation; Driver Charged With Murder

September 13 2025 QUEENS, New York – A 16-year-old girl was killed and her mother injured early Saturday when an SUV mounted the sidewalk in Queens, in the area of 91st St and Roosevelt Ave. Police say the driver, 38-year-old Edwin Cruz Gomez, has been charged with murder and a string of other offenses.

Reports said Gomez, who was intoxicated, made a lewd remark to teenager Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez outside a bar on Roosevelt Avenue near Benham Street around 4:15 a.m. The comment sparked an argument with the girl, her mother, and two men who were with them.

According to police, Gomez then got into his Chevrolet Suburban, drove onto the sidewalk, and struck Jhoanny and her 32-year-old mother. Jhoanny was pronounced dead at the scene, while her mother was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital and is expected to survive.

Prosecutors say Gomez fled after the crash but was quickly taken into custody. He is facing charges that include murder, vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated, driving without a valid license, leaving the scene of a fatal collision, and multiple counts of weapon possession.