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

[Updated] Driver Arrested after Killing Senior Citizen in The Bronx

File photo: Gersh Kuntzman

A driver ran over and killed a senior citizen a few steps from her home on Miles Avenue in the dangerous Throgs Neck section of the Bronx, but was finally arrested in March after a lengthy investigation, the NYPD said.

The crash occurred on Dec. 16 at around 1:05 p.m. when Maria Frasca, 85, was attempting to cross East Tremont Avenue. At the same time, a driver — whom cops ID'd as Marilyn Mateo, 44 — turned into the road from Miles Avenue, hitting Frasca.

Cops say Frasca was conscious after the collision, but died later at Jacoby Hospital. Mateo had remained on the scene and was not immediately charged. But on March 13, the NYPD said Mateo had been charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care.

One pedestrian was injured at the same intersection this year. And just north of the intersection, on East Tremont Avenue, nine pedestrians and cyclists have been killed in just a 15-block stretch since January, 2017, thanks to an overly wide street that encourages speeding — the very conditions that the Department of Transportation will fix along similarly designed Morris Park Avenue next year.

A speedy four-lane E. Tremont Avenue is the key danger in Throgs Neck. Photo: Google
A speedy four-lane E. Tremont Avenue is the key danger in Throgs Neck. Photo: Google
A speedy four-lane E. Tremont Avenue is the key danger in Throgs Neck. Photo: Google

Story was updated on March 13 to include arrest details.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘Just Absurd’: Adams Calls Unsafe McGuinness Blvd. Compromise a ‘Win’ Despite Lewis-Martin Bribery Indictment

The mayor sees no reason to revisit McGuinness even though the safety redesign was tainted by what the Manhattan DA calls a "classic bribery" scheme.

August 22, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Ingrid’s Side Gig Edition

The mayor's former top adviser, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, thought she'd gotten a big acting break. But it was the beginning of the end. Plus other news.

August 22, 2025

‘Classic Bribery’: How a Powerful Brooklyn Family Crashed and Burned Over a Simple Bike Lane

Imagine destroying everything you've spent decades building to stop the city from building a bike lane. Welcome to Gina and Tony Argento's world.

August 22, 2025

Katie Wilson’s Success in Seattle Shows Again that Urbanism Is A Winning Campaign Issue

The advocate's strong early performance in Seattle's mayoral primary — following Zohran Mamdani's similar triumph — shows what you can do when you focus on transit.

August 22, 2025

Friday Video: How to Gear Up For Your Fall Bike Commute

The only must-haves for a cycling commute are a bike and a place you feel safe riding — but a few accessories don't hurt, either.

August 22, 2025

READ IT: The Argentos Bribed Lewis-Martin to Halt McGuinness Bike Lane, DA Says

Two members of a powerful Brooklyn theatrical production family bribed Mayor Adams's chief adviser to block the safety redesign of McGuinness Boulevard, court papers show.

August 21, 2025
See all posts