Driver indicted in Queens crash death of Cara Trager
A 71-year-old woman crossing with the signal at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Union Turnpike was killed on May 25, 2026, and prosecutors say Dawood Faisal had been speeding in a Toyota Prius before the three-car crash.
What We Know
On May 25, 2026, a crash at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Union Turnpike killed 71-year-old pedestrian Cara Trager, who the city record says was crossing with the signal. Queens prosecutors say Dawood Faisal, 22, was driving a 2013 Toyota Prius south on Francis Lewis Boulevard at more than 75 mph in a 35 mph zone, ran at least two red lights and hit two other vehicles; two pedestrians in the crosswalk were struck in the ensuing three-car crash. The city record lists Traffic Control Disregarded and reports six people injured in addition to the pedestrian fatality. Faisal was indicted on manslaughter, assault, leaving-the-scene and related charges; the allegations remain pending in court.
Prosecutors allege a high-speed run through red lights
Queens prosecutors said Dawood Faisal, 22, was driving a 2013 Toyota Prius south on Francis Lewis Boulevard at approximately 7:48 p.m. when he accelerated to more than 75 mph in a 35 mph zone.
The district attorney said Faisal ran at least two red lights and hit two other vehicles, leading to a three-car collision in which two pedestrians in a crosswalk were struck.
The city crash record places the collision at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Union Turnpike, lists Traffic Control Disregarded as a contributing factor, records one pedestrian fatality and six injuries, and identifies the involved vehicles as a sedan and two SUVs.
A major Queens corridor with a history of injuries
The crash happened at Francis Lewis Boulevard and Union Turnpike in Queens, on the Union Turnpike corridor.
CrashCountNYC location data for Union Turnpike in Queens shows 1,349 crashes, 852 injuries, 39 serious injuries and 5 deaths from Jan. 1, 2022, through June 1, 2026.
Cara Trager was crossing with the signal
The official pedestrian record says the person killed was a 71-year-old woman who was crossing with the signal. The Queens DA identified her as Cara Trager.
DA Katz described Trager as a beloved wife and mother and a valued community member, and prosecutors said her husband was injured when two pedestrians in the crosswalk were struck.
Records describe three drivers and three vehicles
Prosecutors identified Faisal as the Toyota Prius driver. The city vehicle records list a 2013 Toyota Prius traveling south, a 2026 Mercedes G Wagon traveling west and a 2023 Nissan Rogue stopped in traffic while oriented eastbound.
The Prius entry lists Traffic Control Disregarded. The city record lists one occupant in the Prius, three in the Mercedes and one in the Nissan.
Speed and signal violations are central to the case
The official record lists Traffic Control Disregarded as the contributing factor for the collision.
The DA’s indictment press release alleges Faisal was speeding, failed to stop at a steady red signal and drove at an unreasonable speed.
A manslaughter indictment followed
Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis ordered Faisal to return to court July 16. Prosecutors said he faces more than 15 years in prison if convicted.
The district attorney said Faisal tried to leave the scene before good Samaritans stopped and detained him.