A Fresh Meadows man was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a collision in Cunningham Park on Memorial Day, then allegedly causing a second chain-reaction crash that left two seniors injured.
Photo via Citizen
A Fresh Meadows driver was arrested on Memorial Day for leaving the scene of a collision in Cunningham Park and then causing a second chain-reaction crash moments later that left two elderly pedestrians injured, one of them critically.
Dawood Faisal, 22, of 67th Avenue, was apprehended at the scene of the second crash by police from the 107th Precinct in Fresh Meadows who responded to a 911 call of a vehicle collision involving multiple pedestrians just after 7:45 p.m. at the intersection of Francis Lewis Boulevard and Union Turnpike.
Further investigation by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad determined that Faisal was behind the wheel of a 2013 Toyota Prius traveling southbound on Francis Lewis Boulevard approaching the intersection of Union Turnpike with a steady red traffic signal. Faisal allegedly blew the red light and proceeded southbound through the intersection where he failed to navigate the roadway and collided with a 2026 Mercedes-Benz, operated by a 37-year-old man, which was traveling westbound on Francis Lewis Boulevard with a green traffic signal.
Faisal continued southbound, where he collided with a 2023 Nissan Rogue, operated by a 29-year-old man, causing his vehicle to strike a 71-year-old woman and a 70-year-old man who were crossing the street in a marked crosswalk from the southwest corner of the intersection to the southeast corner.
The elderly woman suffered severe head trauma and was rushed by EMS to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition.
A 71-year-old woman was rushed to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition with severe head trauma, police said.Photo via Citizen
The elderly man sustained minor injuries and was transported by EMS to New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.
A 70-year-old man was also struck and suffered minor injuries. EMS transported him the New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, police said.Photo via Citizen
Faisal was arrested and booked at the 107th Precinct where he was charged with leaving the scene and more charges were said to be pending as the investigation by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad remains ongoing, police said.