Driver Charged After 3-Year-Old Killed in Flushing Hit-and-Run
Police said Kevin Gomez drove away after hitting 3-year-old Quintus Chen while pulling a white Infiniti from parking on College Point Boulevard, where city records show one pedestrian was killed.
What We Know
At about 6:40 p.m. on Nov. 29, 2023, a 3-year-old pedestrian was killed on College Point Boulevard in Flushing. Police told reporters Kevin Gomez, 20, was pulling a white 2014 Infiniti away from a parking spot near 41st Avenue as Quintus Chen crossed in front of him, then drove off. First responders took Chen to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, where he was pronounced dead. Police later arrested Gomez and said he was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and driving alone without a license. City crash records list a southbound sedan starting from parking and cite tinted windows as a contributing factor.
A driver pulled from parking as a child crossed
The city crash record places the crash at 6:40 p.m. on Nov. 29, 2023, on College Point Boulevard and records one pedestrian death: a 3-year-old boy crossing away from an intersection or crosswalk.
Police told reporters Gomez was pulling a white 2014 Infiniti away from a parking spot near 41st Avenue when he hit Chen, who was crossing in front of him, and then drove off. First responders took Chen to NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, where he was pronounced dead.
College Point Boulevard near 41st Avenue
Reports placed the crash near College Point Boulevard and 41st Avenue in downtown Flushing; the official record lists College Point Boulevard coordinates near that intersection. The Daily News described the corridor as a busy Queens street, and the Post reported the boy lived about two blocks from where he was hit.
The child, his family, and the accused driver
Gothamist identified the child as Quintus Chen and noted it corrected the spelling after inaccurate information from NYPD. Other reports used Quintas Chen, and a Daily News headline used Quintas Chan while its story also referred to Quintus Chen.
The New York Post reported Chen's mother, Karen Ng, described him as "cute and adorable" and said his teachers said he learned fast. It also reported his father said, "My baby," outside the family apartment.
Police and prosecutors identified Kevin Gomez, 20, of Maspeth, as the driver. Gothamist reported that police said he had a learner's permit and was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and driving alone without a license.
Sedan details and recorded factors
The official vehicle record lists a southbound 2014 Infiniti sedan with one occupant, a male driver with a New York permit, starting from parking; it lists tinted windows as a contributing factor.
Police told reporters the Infiniti was white, and reporters said investigators found it parked and unoccupied several blocks away after the driver did not remain at the scene.
Arrest and continuing investigation
Police arrested Gomez on Nov. 30 near the scene, according to the Post. Gothamist reported the NYPD Highway District Collision Investigation Squad was still investigating and that police said additional charges could depend on the outcome.
The Daily News reported that prosecutors said Gomez was driving without a license and had a history of reckless driving.