ELMHURST, NY – A manhunt is underway in Queens, New York, following a fatal hit-and-run incident that claimed two lives Sunday morning. The incident occurred on 57th Avenue in Elmhurst, where remnants of a destroyed scooter were found, marking the tragic loss of life.
A local resident recounted the horrifying scene, describing how she heard the crash from her home just past 8 a.m. The police swiftly responded, cordoning off the area near 80th Street for several hours. She described seeing a man lying face down, receiving CPR from first responders.
The perpetrator, caught on surveillance footage, was seen fleeing the scene, only to return briefly before making a second escape. The video shows a silver Volkswagen hatchback colliding head-on with the scooter, and subsequently crashing into two parked cars, igniting a fire.
The driver was captured on camera exiting his vehicle and fleeing the scene. He later returned, presumably to retrieve something from his car, before making a second getaway. Witnesses were left shocked and appalled by the driver’s actions.
Firefighters were quick to respond, managing to control the blaze and even breaking the windows of a nearby van to release the smoke. Tragically, one victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Residents of the area have expressed concerns about the safety of the curved portion of 57th Avenue where the incident occurred. They are calling for traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps and warning signs, to prevent future accidents.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline.