Driver charged after fatal Rockaway Boulevard crash
Javon Galette was identified by QNS as the driver in a July 24, 2022, Rockaway Boulevard crash that the official record says killed one person and injured two; a later report said an indictment alleged a fence post pierced back-seat passenger Brigitte Mercado.
Approximate reported location.
What We Know
Javon Galette was identified by QNS as the driver in a July 24, 2022, crash on Rockaway Boulevard at Brookville Boulevard. The 2022 report, citing police, said a southbound driver lost control, hit a curb and then crashed into a metal fence. A 2024 report, citing the indictment, alleged that Galette drove into the fence with enough force for a post to come through the windshield and pierce back-seat passenger Brigitte Mercado in the chest. The official record counts one death and two injuries and identifies a 2017 Honda sedan; QNS described it as a Honda Accord. Galette was arrested and arraigned in August 2024 on charges including criminally negligent homicide, aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault.
Reports describe a curb and fence sequence.
The official record places the crash at 11:19 p.m. on July 24, 2022, on Rockaway Boulevard and counts one person killed and two injured. QNS reported that it happened at Brookville Boulevard in Rosedale, near JFK Airport.
The initial QNS account, citing police, said a southbound driver lost control, hit a curb at Brookville Boulevard and crashed into a metal fence. A 2024 QNS report, citing the indictment, alleged Galette was driving south and struck the curb before crashing into the fence. It said the force sent a fence post through the windshield and pierced Mercado's chest.
Sources describe the vehicle differently.
The official record identifies a 2017 Honda sedan traveling south and carrying three occupants. Both QNS reports describe the vehicle as a Honda Accord.
Reports differ about Mercado's age and the front passenger.
QNS identified Brigitte Mercado, of Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway, as the rear-seat passenger. Both QNS reports give her age as 25; the official fatal-person record lists her as 26. QNS reported that EMS took Mercado to St. John's Episcopal Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The 2022 QNS report described the front passenger as a 28-year-old man and said he was in stable condition at Jamaica Hospital. The 2024 report identified the front passenger as Ashleigh, Mercado's sister, and said she was injured. The reports differ on who occupied that seat.
The official record lists two contributing factors.
The official vehicle record lists alcohol involvement and unsafe speed as contributing factors. Separately, QNS reported that NYPD investigators determined Galette was speeding when he lost control.
Galette faced charges two years later.
QNS reported that Galette was arrested on August 20, 2024, after a Queens grand jury indictment and arraigned that day. The charges included criminally negligent homicide, aggravated vehicular homicide and aggravated vehicular assault; the indictment alleged reckless driving.
Where
southbound on Rockaway Boulevard at Brookville Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY