Delivery driver indicted after Queens crash killed teen and injured her sister
She had an answer
At 3:26 p.m. on June 26, 2024, driver Boubacar Barry was turning at 47th Avenue and 46th Street in Queens when a crash killed 16-year-old Jael Zhinin and injured her younger sister, according to the official record and press reports.
Location reported in Open Data.
What We Know
On June 26, 2024, a crash at 47th Avenue and 46th Street killed Jael Zhinin, 16, and injured her younger sister. Prosecutors later described a left turn by Barry; early police accounts described a right turn. Barry was indicted on charges including criminally negligent homicide.
Early accounts differ on the turn.
The official record places the crash at 3:26 p.m. on June 26, 2024, at 47th Avenue and 46th Street, and records a left turn, one pedestrian killed and one injured. Prosecutors later said surveillance showed Barry turning left from 47th Avenue onto 46th Street. ABC7 reported that police said the sisters had entered a marked crosswalk with the walk signal and were near its middle when Barry hit them; police said he continued driving.
Early police accounts described a right turn from 47th Avenue onto 46th Street, contrary to the official record and later prosecution account. NY1 also reported that police said the driver had a green light.
Gothamist reported that prosecutors said Barry looked toward the rear driver’s side of his truck rather than ahead. ABC7 reported that surveillance showed him later double-parking on 46th Street and unloading water.
Jael had plans for business school.
Jael Zhinin, 16, was killed in the crash. Her cousin John Tacuri told ABC7 that she was a good student whose long-term plans included business school. “She knew exactly what she wanted for her future,” he said.
Jael’s younger sister Leslie was also injured. Gothamist reported in July that Leslie was still receiving care for her injuries. At a gathering near the crash site, Jael’s father, Segundo, told ABC7, “You don’t know the pain you caused.”
The intersection was beside a school.
The crash happened at 47th Avenue and 46th Street in Queens, on the block of I.S. 125. NY1 reported that it was the last day of classes and students were picking up diplomas after graduation.
Reports give different descriptions of the vehicle.
Gothamist described a white Ford truck, while the New York Post reported that Barry was driving a white Ready Refresh delivery truck. The official record lists the vehicle type as “Carry All,” its normalized type as “Sedan,” and its make as Ford-Truck/Bus; ABC7 later described a Ford truck.
The record and prosecutors describe contributing factors.
The crash record lists “View Obstructed/Limited” as a contributing factor. Prosecutors said Barry was looking toward the rear driver’s side of his truck instead of ahead, and alleged that he failed to yield.
Barry faced an 11-count indictment.
Gothamist reported on July 23 that Barry had been indicted on 11 counts, including criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, third-degree assault, failure-to-yield and due-care charges. Prosecutors said he could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.