A devastating incident unfolded on the streets of Queens, New York City, on a Wednesday evening, claiming the life of a young child. Quintas Chen, a 3-year-old boy, tragically became a victim of a hit-and-run accident. This heart-wrenching event marks the 11th instance this year where a child has lost their life prematurely due to a traffic accident in the city. This alarming trend is raising significant concerns about urban traffic safety and the protection of pedestrians, particularly the most vulnerable segment of our society: children.

Details of the Incident

According to reports from the local authorities, the fatal accident occurred around 6:30 p.m. on College Point Boulevard, close to 41st Avenue in the Flushing neighborhood. Chen was crossing the street with his father when a white Infiniti sedan, recklessly pulling away from the curb, struck him. Shockingly, the driver of the vehicle, fully aware of the tragic incident, chose to abandon the car just four blocks away from the location where the young boy was hit.

Community in Mourning and Demanding Justice

The devastated family of Quintas Chen, now left to grapple with an unbearable loss, is pleading for justice to be served. Additionally, they are seeking financial assistance to transport their son’s body to Oklahoma, where his grandparents reside. The entire Queens community is mourning the loss of this innocent life, and their grief has transformed into a resounding call for effective measures to prevent such devastating tragedies in the future.

Deadliest Year Since 2014

Transportation Alternatives, a nonprofit organization, has released a statement underscoring the pedestrian safety hazards at the intersection where the tragedy unfolded. They have declared 2023 as the deadliest year for traffic-related fatalities in Queens since 2014. In response to this heartbreaking incident, the mayor has called for the removal of parking spaces near intersections and an increase in the number of city vehicles, including school buses, equipped with speed-limiting devices.