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

Second Queens Pedestrian Killed in as Many Days

7:09 AM EST on December 19, 2018

Photo: Franz Golhen

SB Donation NYC header 2

Police have charged the driver who they say ran over and killed a 74-year-old woman on dangerous Cross Bay Boulevard on Tuesday.

Cops say Mark Dudzinski, 58, was driving southbound on the wide, fast-moving street and struck Waiching Chen in the crosswalk as he tried to turn his Ford Escape into 159th Avenue at around 4 p.m. She was taken to Jamaica Hospital, but could not be revived.

Dudzinski remained on the scene, but was charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care a few hours later. A review of his driving record revealed four speed zone camera violations since 2015.

Cross Bay Boulevard is one of New York's so-called "murder strips," where cars moving at high speeds mingle with unprotected pedestrians and cyclists. Since January, 2017, 56 motorists and eight pedestrians have been injured — with one motorist and one walker killed — just between 150th and 165 avenues.

Chen's death came one day after Yimei Gao, 73, was killed as she tried to cross Queens Boulevard and 56th Avenue — a spot where residents had complained that crossing times were too short. There were no charges in that case because Gao was allegedly crossing against the light. Reporter Laura Shepard later spotted the driver's dented Kia sedan, whose severe damage suggested the driver was traveling at high speed.

This is the car that struck Yimei Gao. Photo: Laura Shepard.
This is the car that struck Yimei Gao. Photo: Laura Shepard.
This is the car that struck Yimei Gao. Photo: Laura Shepard.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Maximum Rage: Delivery Workers Protest Low Wages, App ‘Lockouts’

Couriers with bikes and signs urge the city to step in as Uber Eats, GrubHub and DoorDash withhold work, they say.

March 28, 2024

The Toll of History: MTA Board Approves $15 Congestion Pricing Fee

New York City's congestion pricing tolls are one historic step closer to reality after Wednesday's 11-1 MTA board vote. Next step: all those pesky lawsuits.

March 28, 2024

Company That Fought McGuinness Safety Project Wants to Seize Bklyn Street for Private Backlot

Broadway Stages to Greenpoint residents: "Street safety for me, not for thee."

March 28, 2024

SEE IT: Hit-and-Run Driver With Fake Plate Seriously Injures Cyclist

The 5 p.m. crash occurred at Flushing and Waverly avenue near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

March 28, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines: Shakira Shakira Edition

Pop superstar Shakira performed for a crowd of 40,000 packed into the Times Square pedestrian plazas. Plus congestion pricing news and more.

March 28, 2024
See all posts