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Queens Driver Charged With Murder in SUV Attack That Killed 16-Year-Old

Prosecutors say he deliberately mounted the curb after sexually harassing the teen’s group.

A 15-year-old driver too young to legally be driving lost control of a car and struck a 71-year-old man standing on a sidewalk at Pennsylvania and Hegeman Aves in East New York, Brooklyn, on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Daily News)
16yr old Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez was pronounced dead on scene after she was intentionally run down by a 38yr old man driving an older model tan colored Chevrolet Suburban SUV on Roosevelt Avenue and Benham Street in Queens on Saturday September 13, 2025. 0957. The man then drove the wrong way on one way Benham Street before smashing into a parked and unoccupied white minivan, pushing the minivan up onto the sidewalk and into a utility pole. He then made his escape on foot, but was caught by responding Officers. A 32yr old woman, struck by the same SUV at the same location, was taken to Elmhurst Hospital. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Daily News)
16yr old Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez was pronounced dead on scene after she was intentionally run down by a 38yr old man driving an older model tan colored Chevrolet Suburban SUV on Roosevelt Avenue and Benham Street in Queens on Saturday Sept. 13, 2025. 0957. The man then drove the wrong way on one way Benham Street before smashing into a parked and unoccupied white minivan, pushing the minivan up onto the sidewalk and into a utility pole. He then made his escape on foot, but was caught by responding Officers. A 32yr old woman, struck by the same SUV at the same location, was taken to Elmhurst Hospital. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Daily News)

Overview

  • Edwin Cruz Gomez, 38, of Uniondale, was arrested at the scene and charged with murder, attempted murder, vehicular manslaughter, DWI, leaving the scene, and related counts.
  • Queens prosecutors say the act was intentional and cite surveillance video, witness accounts, and a measured blood-alcohol level of .137, above the legal limit.
  • Victim Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez, 16, was pronounced dead at Roosevelt Avenue and Benham Street; her 32-year-old mother was hospitalized in stable condition and her stepfather was also injured.
  • Authorities allege Cruz Gomez made crude sexual solicitations and offered money to the teen and her mother, prompting a confrontation before he drove onto the sidewalk.
  • After striking the group, the driver reversed, went the wrong way down Benham Street, hit a parked vehicle, fled on foot, and was taken into custody; he faces up to 25 years to life if convicted and is due back in court Friday.