Man arrested, charged after 3-year-old killed in Queens hit-and-run
FLUSHING, Queens (WABC) -- Police have arrested a man after a 3-year-old boy was struck and killed in a hit-and-run on Wednesday night in Queens.
Kevin Gomez, 20, was arrested and charged Thursday with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
It happened in front of College Point Boulevard and 41st Avenue in the Flushing section of Queen while the victim and his family were heading home from a doctor's appointment.
Officials say the 2014 Infiniti Q50 was pulling out of a parking spot on College Point Boulevard near 41st Avenue when Quintus Chen crossed in front. The sedan's left front tire struck the boy as the sedan headed south on College Point Boulevard.
The child was taken to New York-Presbyterian Queens where he was pronounced dead.
According to police, the driver of the vehicle did not remain on the scene. Officials found the sedan four blocks away.
Now the Chen family said they will always cherish their son. They said he didn't have a worry in the world, but now his parents are left with many worries and grief.
A day later on Thursday, local lawmakers and police made an urgent plea to the public.
"I know how dangerous it is on College Point, as you can see, the vehicles are parked and backing out every day, it is not a safe sidewalk for families," said state Assemblyman Ron Kim.
The vehicle was parked in a no standing zone outside of what's known as a chaotic strip mall. The active driveway nearby is commonly blocked as pedestrians weave in and out of traffic jams.
The incident hit a nerve for another Flushing family whose 3-year-old was hit and killed blocks away 10 years ago.
"I know the unimaginable heartache and I'm outraged another family has to experience what we endured," said Amy Tam-Liao, founder of Families for Safe Streets.
The family is now raising money to bury the 3-year-old child in Oklahoma where his grandparents are buried.
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