STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A trip for cancer treatment turned tragic Friday when a crash in New Springville claimed the lives of Gerardo “Jerry” Avila, 90, and Anheli Vasquez-Trinidad, 6.
The collision, which also left Gerardo’s wife Perla hospitalized in critical condition, shattered two families and a tight-knit community.
The day of the crash
A Stapleton resident, Gerardo was recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma — a devastating blow to his spirit, according to his son Elias Avila.
“He was always very active, independent and alert,” Elias told the Advance/SILive.com. “He never needed assistance before his diagnosis.”
Perla was Gerardo’s rock, according to Elias.
“(She) stood by his side during this difficult time and made sure to take him to every appointment,” Elias explained.
Gerardo was on his way to his treatment center located on Richmond Avenue on Jan. 2 when the tragic crash occurred, Elias said.
When Gerardo did not arrive for his scheduled chemotherapy appointment, concern grew.
“I was alerted when his doctor called to say that he had not shown up, despite being seen leaving his home on the Ring app with more than enough time to arrive,” Elias said. “The accident was sudden and devastating. Our lives changed in an instant.”
Vasquez-Trinidad, a resident of Park Hill Avenue in Clifton, was in the backseat of the Avilas’ car, accompanying the couple to Gerardo’s appointment. Gerardo and Perla frequently babysat her and considered her a granddaughter, though they were not related by blood, said Elias.
Perla, 70, was driving Gerardo’s Honda SUV at the time of the crash. She was admitted to the ICU, and is “currently recovering and continues to heal both physically and emotionally,” said Elias.
“This has been an incredibly difficult time for her and for our entire family.”
Perla (left) and Gerardo Avila (right) pictured together during happier times. Perla remains in ICU recovery, according to their son Elias Avila.Courtesy of Elias AvilaDeep ties to the community
Gerardo immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic in the 1980s, and built a life rooted in faith, hard work, and service to others, Elias said.
Gerardo and Perla were married for over 50 years. Together, the pair raised four children, according to Elias.
Emergency personnel responded to a vehicle collision at Forest Hill Road and Rockland Avenue on Friday, Jan. 2, 2025.(Source photo)
“He was the patriarch of our family and a provider who always put others first,” Elias said of his father. “He was deeply involved in his community, especially in Stapleton and Park Hill, where he was known as a friendly, reliable and an ever-present neighbor.”
A man of Pentecostal faith, Gerardo was a longtime member of Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal El Amparo Divino in New Brighton. Gerardo raised his children with those same values, his son said.
Professionally, Gerardo worked at Seaview Nursing Home, where he eventually retired after a long and dedicated career, according to his son.
“(My dad) was known for his generosity. He would offer anyone a ride and help anyone who needed it, no matter how big or small the request,” Elias said. “He even gave informal driving lessons to friends and family. He was extremely social, made friends everywhere he went, and was always available to help.”
Gerardo Avila and 6-year-old Anheli Vasquez-Trinidad were killed in the New Springville collision while his wife Perla remains in ICU recovery.Courtesy of Elias Avila
Elias reflected on how Gerardo always showed up for him.
“He was my inspiration, my guide, my protector, and my example. He was not only a great provider, but also a true friend to his children and grandchildren,” Elias said. “He taught us faith, kindness, and how to treat others with respect. He was the heart of our family, and he will be deeply and truly missed.”
Gerardo had recently celebrated his 90th birthday in October with a huge party that included all of his friends and family.
“We rented a hall,” Elias remembered. “I have a video of him speaking on his birthday. Which 1767699067 feels like a living funeral.”
The family has created a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Gerardo’s homegoing expenses. It can be found at gofundme.com/f/gerardo-avila.
A second life-cut short
Anheli was pronounced dead at the hospital following the Friday morning collision in New Springville, according to police.
“She was a very loving little girl. She was attached to my family, to me. I loved her dearly,” Elias said. “My wife and I, before we had children, we would take Anheli. She was almost like a practice child. We learned how children act and what children like to do.”
Elias remembered Anheli as a smart little girl who liked to read and share her chores and hobbies with them.
A bouquet of pink roses are carefully fastened to a tree neat where Anheli Vasquez-Trinidad, 6, and 90-year-old Gerardo Avila were killed in a New Springville crash on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026.Advance/SILive.com | Jan Somma-Hammel
“Anheli helped us transition into becoming actual parents,” Elias somberly reflected.
A GoFundMe was created by Anheli’s cousin, Sandra Figueroa, on behalf of Anheli’s mother, Marlene Trinidad, to help give the little girl a “beautiful, dignified farewell.”
“We were not prepared for this unimaginable pain, nor for the financial burden of giving Anheli the beautiful, dignified farewell she deserves,” says the online fundraiser’s description.
According to Elias, Anheli’s mother is devastated by the loss.
“She was tender, joyful, playful and so deeply loved. Losing her has broken us in ways we never imagined,” Figueroa said in the GoFundMe tribute section. “There is an emptiness in our home, in our arms and in our lives that can never be filled.”
Anheli and her family also attended Gerardo’s 90th birthday party, Elias noted.
Gerardo Avila pictured at his 90th birthday party in October.Courtesy of Elias Avila
“Anheli and her family were part of the family. They were there in every picture I can think of,” Elias said. “All the special moments in my family Anheli is in all the pictures. She’s pretty much family. The only thing that doesn’t connect us is blood.”
As of this writing, nearly $26,000 of the fundraiser’s $45,000 goal had been raised.
The crash that killed two
As the Advance/SILive.com previously reported, police responded to a 911 call for a vehicle collision involving the Avila’s Honda SUV and an Audi SUV in the vicinity of Forest Hill Road and Rockland Avenue around 9:57 a.m. Friday.
According to the NYPD, a 50-year-old man was driving the Audi SUV.
At the time of the collision, the Audi SUV was traveling westbound on Rockland Avenue and attempting to make a left turn onto Forest Hill Road. The Avilas and Anheli were traveling southbound on Forest Hill Road toward Richmond Hill Road.
Police have not announced who was at fault.
Images of the aftermath showed the wreckage of the two vehicles near the intersection. Both SUVs suffered extensive visible damage to their front ends.
No arrests had been made in the case as of Monday afternoon, according to an NYPD spokesperson.