Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Carnage

Alleged Drunk, Unlicensed Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Delivery Worker as NYPD Targets Cyclists

The intersection of 43rd Avenue and 39th Street in Sunnyside, where a drunk driver struck and killed Gelacio Reyes as he biked home from work in April. Image: Google Maps

An unlicensed and allegedly drunk hit-and-run driver with a history of license revocations struck and killed a delivery cyclist riding home from work in Queens this weekend.

The crash happened in the midst of an NYPD "Vision Zero" crackdown on cyclists, which focused in part on delivery workers.

Reyes
Reyes
Reyes

Gelacio Reyes, 32, was riding east on 43rd Avenue in Sunnyside at around 3 a.m. Saturday when he was struck by the driver of a Ford SUV, who was traveling south on 39th Street, police told Gothamist.

Reyes, the father of three young children, worked in Manhattan and lived in Corona. He was pronounced dead at Elmhurst Hospital.

Police arrested 25-year-old Cristian Guiracocha hours after the crash at a Woodside auto repair shop, where he was “texting inside the car with the keys in the ignition and the engine running,” the Daily News reported. Police found vomit on Guiracocha's clothes, the News said.

Photos of the SUV show extensive damage to the windshield, front fender, and front bumper on the passenger side.

Guiracocha was charged with felony drunk driving, felony aggravated unlicensed operation, and circumventing an ignition interlock device, a misdemeanor, according to court records. Anonymous sources who spoke with the News and other press outlets expected the charges against Guiracocha to be upgraded, possibly to manslaughter.

Because of state laws that serve to incentivize fleeing the scene, had police not found Guiracocha soon after the crash, it's likely he would have avoided charges for taking Reyes's life.

The News reported that Guiracocha’s license has been revoked at least two times, most recently in 2014.

A 2015 report from State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli found that just 5 percent of New York City drivers who are legally required to install an ignition interlock device actually use them.

Gelacio Reyes was killed in the 108th Precinct, and in the City Council district represented by Jimmy Van Bramer.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

The ‘Problem’ With E-Bikes? The Super Fast Illegal Ones

New Yorkers are riding illegal vehicles marketed as e-bikes with little to no-consequences, and it's a safety problem.

October 21, 2025

The ‘War on Cars’ Is Worth Fighting — And Here’s What Life Might Look Like When We Win

A first book from the prolific podcast hosts offers a solid foundation for would-be advocates against automobility — and some new ammunition for veterans.

October 21, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Carnage All Over Edition

Monday's papers were a blood tide of crashes. Plus other news.

October 21, 2025

‘Outrage’: Pols — And Even DOT Boss — Protest Trump’s Block on 34th St. Busway

A huge rally in Midtown to urge President Trump to get his meathooks off our transit included DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, who is poised to capitulate.

October 20, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Uncharted Territory Edition

"No Kings" means hands off our busway. Plus the news.

October 20, 2025

More Tantrums: City Halts 34th Street Busway After Threat from Trump DOT

The feds threatened to cut city and state funding if New York doesn't halt all work on the 34th Street busway so the FHWA can review the project.

October 17, 2025
See all posts