A Long Island man has been indicted on charges including murder and attempted murder for allegedly purposely driving into a 16-year-old girl and her family in Queens, killing the teen and injuring her mother, prosecutors said.
Edwin Cruz Gomez, 38, of Uniondale, was arraigned on a 15-count indictment that also included charges of assault, aggravated vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and criminal possession of a weapon, the Queens district attorney’s office said Tuesday.
What You Need To Know
Edwin Cruz Gomez has been indicted on charges including murder and attempted murder for allegedly purposely driving into a 16-year-old girl and her family in Queens, killing the teen and injuring her mother
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. on Sept. 13 outside the Prima Donna Restaurant on Roosevelt Avenue in Elmhurst
Gomez is accused of harassing 16-year-old Jhoanny Saray Gomez-Alvarez and her mother, offering them money for sexual acts before driving onto a sidewalk and striking them
According to the DA, the incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. on Sept. 13 outside the Prima Donna Restaurant on Roosevelt Avenue in Elmhurst.
Gomez is accused of harassing 16-year-old Jhoanny Saray Gomez-Alvarez and her mother, offering them money for sexual acts.
After a verbal dispute escalated into a physical altercation with the girl’s stepfather, the family walked away, the DA’s office said. Gomez then got into his SUV, drove onto the sidewalk and struck Gomez-Alvarez, her mother and her stepfather, pinning the teen against a pole and injuring her mother.
Prosecutors said Gomez fled the wrong way on Benham Street after, colliding with a parked van before running away on foot. He then approached NYPD officers a few blocks away and said he had been assaulted, leading them back to the scene, according to the DA’s office.
The DA’s office said a breath test revealed he had a blood alcohol content between .18% and .21%, more than twice the legal limit.
The teen was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Her mother was hospitalized with leg injuries.
“This was a completely preventable tragedy and our condolences are with the family and friends of Jhoanny as they continue to mourn her senseless loss,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.
A Queens Supreme Court judge ordered Gomez to remain in jail and return to court Dec. 2. He faces up to 27 1/3 years to life in prison if he is convicted, according to the DA’s office.
NY1 has reached out to Gomez’ attorney for comment.