Driver Charged After Passenger Dies in Jamaica Crash
Gilberto Cordova, 23, was charged after police said he drove drunk and crashed in Jamaica early Jan. 8, 2022; the official record lists one 20-year-old female passenger killed and five motorists injured.
What We Know
A crash in Jamaica, Queens, early on Jan. 8, 2022, left a 20-year-old female passenger dead and five motorists injured, according to the official record. Police told reporters that Gilberto Cordova, 23, had five passengers in a Honda Accord and was drunk and speeding before the crash. News accounts agree police arrested Cordova on vehicular manslaughter and drunk-driving charges, while the Daily News also reported charges of criminally negligent homicide and vehicular assault. The official record places the crash at Guy R Brewer Boulevard and Phroane Avenue; press accounts describe it on 112th Road near Guy R Brewer Boulevard, with differing descriptions of whether Cordova hit a parked car or van and, in one account, a pole.
Early-morning crash with six people in the car
The official crash record says the collision happened at 4:11 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2022, in Queens and involved a southbound 2008 Honda sedan and a parked 2007 Ford SUV. The record lists six occupants in the sedan, one motorist killed and five motorists injured.
Police told amNY that the Honda Accord was packed with the driver and five other people before the driver crashed into a parked car. The Daily News, citing police, reported that Gilberto Cordova was speeding in a Honda Accord with five passengers when he struck a pole and then a parked white van.
A passenger died and other occupants were seriously hurt
The official record identifies the person killed as a 20-year-old female passenger seated in the middle rear. Police accounts in both articles said a woman in the passenger seat died; the Daily News reported she died at Jamaica Hospital, while amNY said she was pronounced dead after paramedics took occupants to hospitals.
Police said the other passengers were taken to area hospitals in serious but stable condition. The Daily News reported that Cordova also had serious but stable injuries and was taken to Jamaica Hospital.
Police alleged drunk driving and speeding
The official record lists alcohol involvement as a contributing factor for the crash and lists alcohol involvement and unsafe speed for the sedan driver. Police told both outlets that Cordova was drunk; the Daily News also reported police said he was speeding.
Both articles reported that police arrested Cordova and charged him with vehicular manslaughter and driving while intoxicated. The Daily News also reported charges of criminally negligent homicide and vehicular assault.
Guy R Brewer Boulevard has seen repeated harm since 2022
The official record places the crash at Guy R Brewer Boulevard and Phroane Avenue in Jamaica, Queens. Press accounts describe the scene as 112th Road near Guy R Brewer Boulevard.
CrashCountNYC location context for Guy R Brewer Boulevard in Queens shows 715 crashes, 493 injuries, 22 serious injuries and 2 deaths from the start of 2022 through June 1, 2026.