Maniac NYC driver who mowed down teen girl after she rejected lewd advances asked cops ‘Did I kill her?’: prosecutors

The tragic incident that occurred in Queens involving a crazed drunk driver mowing down a 16-year-old girl on a sidewalk after she rejected his lewd advances has shocked the community. The driver, Edwin Cruz-Gomez, 38, was driving with a suspended license when he allegedly plowed his vehicle into teen Jhoanny Alvarez following a heated altercation outside Prima Donna Restaurant in Elmhurst.

According to prosecutors, Alvarez was leaving the restaurant with her family when Cruz-Gomez began to sexually harass her and her mother, making lewd statements such as “I want to have sex with you” and “If I gave you money, will you have sex with me?” This led to a physical fight with Alvarez’s stepfather before Cruz-Gomez got into his car and accelerated at a high speed, intentionally driving onto a sidewalk and hitting three out of four of his targets, resulting in the death of the young high school student.

After the collision, Cruz-Gomez fled the scene but was later approached by police. He was found to be “extremely intoxicated” with a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit. Despite initially denying the incident, Cruz-Gomez eventually admitted to hitting a pole and not having a license. He asked police, “Did I kill her?” and claimed that he was assaulted by Alvarez’s boyfriend.

During his arraignment, Cruz-Gomez was charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder, assault, vehicular manslaughter, and other DUI-related charges. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz vowed to seek justice for Alvarez and her family, stating that Cruz-Gomez “pinned the teen against a pole with his vehicle” and injured her mother as well.

It was revealed that Cruz-Gomez had previous run-ins with the law, including a charge of driving while intoxicated earlier in the year that resulted in a suspended license. Despite being caught speeding and driving with a suspended license again, he was granted a conditional license. However, Judge Lana Schlesinger ordered Cruz-Gomez to be held without bail and suspended his conditional license.

If convicted, Cruz-Gomez faces up to 25 years to life in prison. He is set to appear in court on September 19 for further proceedings. The community mourns the loss of Jhoanny Alvarez and seeks justice for the senseless tragedy caused by the reckless actions of Edwin Cruz-Gomez.