By Tiffany Williams –
A Queens man was arraigned Monday on murder and attempted murder charges after allegedly driving his SUV into a group of people, killing a 16-year-old girl and injuring her mother and stepfather.
Edwin Cruz Gomez, 38, of Uniondale, faces a litany of charges including second-degree murder, three counts of attempted murder, assault, vehicular manslaughter, and multiple DUI-related offenses. He was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Lana Schlesinger and ordered back to court on September 19. If convicted, Gomez could spend more than 25 years to life behind bars.
According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, the tragedy unfolded early Saturday morning on Roosevelt Avenue in Elmhurst. Authorities say Gomez had been outside the Prima Donna Restaurant with several men when he allegedly harassed the teen victim and her mother, offering money for sexual acts. A confrontation with the girl’s stepfather escalated into a verbal and physical altercation, which bystanders eventually broke up.
After the incident, the victim, her mother, stepfather, and boyfriend crossed the street to distance themselves. Prosecutors allege Gomez then got into his Chevrolet Suburban, drove onto the sidewalk, and pinned the teen against a pole while striking her mother and stepfather. He continued in reverse against traffic before hitting an empty van, then fled on foot.
Emergency responders pronounced the teen dead at the scene, while her mother was hospitalized with leg injuries. Gomez later turned himself in to NYPD officers a few blocks away, claiming he had been assaulted. Blood tests showed he had a BAC of .137, well above the legal limit.