QUEENS, N.Y. — A quiet Saturday morning in Queens turned tragic when 16-year-old Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez lost her life in a fatal hit-and-run crash on Roosevelt Avenue. The incident occurred in the early hours of September 13, 2025, leaving a family devastated and a community shaken as authorities search for the driver responsible.
According to the New York City Police Department, officers responded to reports of a pedestrian struck shortly after midnight along Roosevelt Avenue, a bustling thoroughfare that often remains active late into the night. When emergency responders arrived, they discovered Gomez-Alvarez critically injured on the roadway. Despite immediate lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say the vehicle that struck the teen fled without stopping, leaving behind few immediate clues. Detectives with the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad are reviewing nearby surveillance footage and speaking with witnesses in hopes of identifying the suspect vehicle and driver. As of Saturday afternoon, no arrests had been made.
The loss of Gomez-Alvarez, described by neighbors as a bright and kind-hearted young woman, has sent ripples of grief through her Queens neighborhood. Friends and family gathered near the crash site to lay flowers, light candles, and remember a teenager whose life was cut tragically short. “She was full of dreams,” said one family friend. “To have her taken from us in such a careless, heartless way is unbearable.”
Roosevelt Avenue, known for its heavy traffic and pedestrian congestion, has long been a concern for traffic safety advocates. Residents have frequently called for improved lighting, crosswalks, and enforcement to protect pedestrians, particularly during nighttime hours when visibility is reduced. The crash has reignited those calls, with community leaders urging city officials to take further steps to prevent future tragedies.
“This is a devastating reminder of the dangers pedestrians face on our streets,” said a local advocate with Transportation Alternatives. “No family should have to endure this kind of loss.”
Police are appealing to the public for information, urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who has knowledge of the fleeing vehicle to come forward. Anonymous tips can be provided through NYPD Crime Stoppers.
As investigators press forward, the family of Jhoanny Gomez-Alvarez is left grappling with unimaginable grief. A life filled with potential and promise was stolen in an instant, leaving behind memories that will forever be cherished by those who loved her.
