Cyclist Mireya Gomez Killed by Driver in Queens, No Charges Filed

Roosevelt Avenue west of 126th Street in Flushing, where cyclist Mireya Gomez was killed on Friday, May 11. Image: Google Maps via Gothamist

A cyclist killed Friday evening near Citi Field in Queens has been identified by NYPD as Mireya Gomez, 50.

According to reports in Gothamist and the Post, Gomez was westbound on Roosevelt Avenue at approximately 5:45 p.m. when she was struck just west of 126th Street by the driver of a Nissan Altima traveling in the same direction. Police initially identified the victim as a male in his 40s.

The driver, identified as a 50-year-old man, remained at the scene. It is unclear how he failed to see Gomez as he approached from behind at eye level in broad daylight. Nevertheless, “no criminality is suspected,” an NYPD spokesperson told Streetsblog.

There is a discussion over at Gothamist concerning dangerous conditions on Roosevelt Avenue. Another cyclist was killed at Roosevelt and 126th in 2000, and three were injured between 2007 and 2009, according to Transportation Alternatives’ CrashStat. Data show that six pedestrians were also hurt in crashes at the same intersection between 1995 and 2008.

This fatal crash occurred in the 110th Precinct. To voice your concerns about neighborhood traffic safety directly to Deputy Inspector Ronald D. Leyson, the commanding officer, head to the next precinct community council meeting. The 110th Precinct council meetings happen at 7:00 p.m. on the third Monday of the month at the New York Bethzatha Church of God at 85-20 57th Avenue in Elmhurst. Call the precinct at 718-476-9310 for information.

Gomez is one of at least two people killed in traffic in the city since Friday, with both crashes occurring in Queens. Early Sunday morning, a pedestrian was struck at Greenpoint Avenue and 46th Street in Sunnyside, in the 108th Precinct. Driver Sayesh Avedis was charged with manslaughter, homicide and DWI, according to DNAinfo. NYPD could not yet release the name of the victim.

  • Zulu

    There is no criminality suspected because cyclist are viewed as second class citizens in this country. Car drivers are king by virtue of their numbers and cultural indoctrination.

    I’m sure the driver who took Mrs. Gomez’s life did not wake up that morning thinking: “yes, I feel like killing a cyclist today!’ However, he still did. There should be a consequence for taking another person’s life regardless of intent and premeditation. Carelessness resulting in death is still homicide. It is so in the construction industry, why isn’t it on the roads?!

     

  • Bob

    Bicycle infrastructure in Queens is severely lacking. With increasing numbers bicyclists taking to the streets, especially with bike sharing coming to fruition, accidents are bound to increase. Queens residents need to demand more dedicated and on-street lanes, especially in central queens (Queens Blvd & Roosevelt Ave corridors).

  • Political Consultant

    Tragedies like this expose the cynicism of bike-hating politicians like Marty Markowitz.  I know this didn’t happen in his borough, but he told a large Fox 5 audience, more or less, that only “young people” use bikes as transportation to get from Williamsburg to DUMBO.  I’d like Markowitz to say that to the family of Mireya Gomez. 

    Maybe Marty should take his hilarious senior trike for a spin on Roosevelt Avenue during rush hour.  He might realize that women like Gomez don’t go there for a leisurely spin.

  • Doug

    I ride on the sidewalk in that very section since there are relatively few pedestrians, and it’s a wide sidewalk.  Roosevelt Avenue there is a long straightaway for cars, and I’ve seen many that look like they’re going 50 MPH or more.  The lighting and shadows from the elevated train can also be a bit deceptive.  None of this justifies the driver’s negligence, but I’d prefer to be safe at the risk of a ticket. 

  • moocow

    I have ridden through there to get to work several times, never at rush hour, and it is harrowing.  I sprinted as fast as I could and tried to hold my spot in the lane. Between Bayside and Lower Manhattan or Park Slope, it was certainly the worst part of the route.

  • mitch

    the big question:   will the Mayor be making any changes to NYPD crash investigation procedures before urging thousands of New Yorkers to ride the new public bike share system?  so far the only message is for bikers to behave themselves.  where is the message to drivers?

  • Brooklyn Biker

    I love biking over to Mets games and Arthur Ashe stadium during the US Open from my home in Brooklyn. But, man, there are areas around there — and drivers — that are just as hostile as can be to pedestrians and cyclists. The cops could stake out a corner and just write a thousand summonses a day for speeding and reckless driving. “No criminality,” my arse.

  • Joe R.

    I’ve ridden over that a few times. Even for someone as comfortable in traffic as myself it can be a bit unnerving. There is literally nowhere to go if a car comes up on you fast, short of attempting a bunny hop onto the sidewalk.

    Ironically, the fix for this is staring us in the face, literally. For nominal cost, a grade separated bike “highway” can be hung onto the el viaduct for a straight run to the Queensboro bridge, where a ramp can connect with the bike lane there. A trunk route like this would undoubtedly be very popular, as well as giving Queens some sorely needed cycling infrastructure.

  • Ben from Bed Stuy

    Today, Chicago’s finest leaders announced Vision Zero. And, with the blood of another innocent on our pavement, “New York’s Finest” announced no criminality suspected. This carnage must stop.

  • Steveli0327

    The Roosevelt Ave between 114th Street and Main Street in Flushing is the easiest way going through the lake/ sea which can met the bike path. The bike path in the 34th Ave is one of the safest way to Manhattan.
     I know that the DOT will do a project in Northern Blvd between 114st and Main Street.However, the path in the bridge is so narrow that it is not allowed two bike passing through together. I think DOT is difficult to make it wider.
    It is a kind of non-sense to required biker moving to the park and cross the lake then ride a far distance back to the bike path.
    In the Northern part of flushing between 114th Street and Main Street, I prefer DOT to put the lane on the road in Roosevelt Ave as the bridge is difficult to widen for bikers.
    Moreover, the road quality in Roosevelt Ave is really bad. Putting a bike lane there also reducing the cost of road maintenance or DOT can take some space from ped for the bike lanes, but please make sure that the path is plain enough for bikers. It is not funny to handle the trap in the bike lane.

  • carma

    im not going to blame the driver nor the cyclist.  but i am going to blame the road design and the law here.  hmm.. forcing cyclists to ride on a road which is clearly not designed for bicycles or ride on the sidewalk and get a ticket.  hmmm… tough call here.

    btw, there are more than a few areas in queens that looks like this where the existing road design makes cycling on the road absolutely dangerous.

  • carma

    @2555783a6f62598b6aadd2d882a4830f:disqus 
    Im all for a grade separated route, but to hang one on the 7 line tracks is never gonna fly.  people will be extremely nervous about sabotaging and placing “packages” next to the el tracks and fantasizing blowing up the el.  hell, even i’d be nervous about some mischevous lunatic

  • Joe R.

    @d8d46f16f380afef59ca318522397233:disqus I was thinking of something which was roofed over (for weather protection), and with a fence covering the side facing the tracks (or even both sides) to prevent throwing things. Fact is you’re right that there are many places in Queens where you’re literally taking your life into your hands by riding a bike. We sorely need better infrastructure. With all the railway viaducts and highways here, it seems natural to leverage them for grade separated cycling infrastructure. Any problems related to terrorism or vandalism could be solved one way or another as we go along. 

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG