Hispanic teenager Jhoanny Gomez Alvarez, 16, died early Saturday morning in Queens, New York, when a drunken man drove his truck onto the sidewalk after harassing her and fighting with her family. Her mother was injured.

On Saturday, September 13, at approximately 4:10 a.m., the teenager was walking with her mother, stepfather, and boyfriend on Roosevelt Avenue and Benham Street in Elmhurst when suspect Edwin Cruz Gomez, 38, began making sexual comments and offering money in exchange for favors.

The situation escalated into a physical fight, which was broken up by bystanders. However, minutes later, Cruz Gomez, visibly intoxicated, got into his 2009 Chevy Suburban, drove the wrong way, and mounted the curb, hitting the group.

The young woman was trapped against a pole and died at the scene. Her 32-year-old mother suffered leg injuries and was taken to the hospital in stable condition. The stepfather was also injured.

Suspect's Arrest and Background

After the crash, the driver attempted to flee but crashed into a parked vehicle and was arrested. His blood-alcohol level was 0.137, nearly double the legal limit, four hours after the incident.

Cruz Gomez had a history of drunk driving and a suspended license. He had been arrested in January on Long Island for driving under the influence, and was also arrested six months later for speeding and driving without a license in Nassau, and had a pending court date for those cases.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced charges of second-degree murder, three attempted murders, two counts of assault, vehicular homicide, driving under the influence, and driving without a license.

Judge Lana Schlesinger ordered him held without bail. If convicted, Cruz Gomez could face 25 years to life in prison. His next hearing is set for September 19.

The Victim and the Community Impact

Jhoanny,The woman, who had moved to Manhattan with her family just three months earlier, was described as a young woman “full of life and with a future ahead of her.” The young woman was Venezuelan. Neighbors and acquaintances lamented the tragedy. “It’s hard to see her alive on a surveillance video, knowing that she died six hours later,” said the building manager. Neighbor Astrid Medjo summed up the general sentiment: “This makes you think it could happen to anyone. Really, anyone.”