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

Eyes on the Street: DOT’s ‘Broadway Vision’ Starts to Clear Up

The Department of Transportation has transformed Broadway into a new corridor for pedestrians and cyclists.

July 8, 2025

Amsterdam Leads the Way on E-Bike Regulation — Should New York Follow Suit?

The city's biking- and walking-friendly streets expose the hypocrisy harsh e-bike enforcement without better street design.

July 8, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Rethinking Avenue B Edition

DOT is taking feedback on the future of Avenue B. Plus more news.

July 8, 2025

Eric Adams’s ‘Dept. of Sustainable Delivery’ Isn’t Actually A Department

The "Department of Sustainable Delivery" will launch with 45 "peace officers" in 2028, the mayor said on Monday.

July 7, 2025

New Air Quality Stats Dispel Earlier Forecasts for Congestion Pricing Pollution

Air quality has improved or remained steady across the five boroughs since congestion pricing launched in January, city health department data showed.

July 7, 2025

‘Rush’ Routes Debut in Queens Bus Map Overhaul More Than Five Years in the Making

The MTA's new "rush" routes make fewer stops in busy downtown areas to avoid wasted time merging in and out of traffic.

July 7, 2025
See all posts