Jonathan Martinez, pictured, was killed by a hit-and-run driver Thursday afternoon as he attempted to cross 100th Street in East Elmhurst (Photo GoFundMe)
Sept. 2, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
A 5-year-old boy was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver in East Elmhurst Thursday as he attempted to cross a street while holding his father’s hand.
The victim, Jonathan Martinez, was hit by the driver of a pickup truck at around 5:30 p.m. as he attempted to cross 100th Street – near the intersection of McIntosh Street — with his parents and brothers, according to police and published reports.
The driver, who police say was in a white-colored Dodge Ram, was traveling northbound on McIntosh Street before making a sharp turn onto 100th Street and plowing into the young boy. The driver then fled the scene — as Martinez’s family looked on in horror.
The family lived about two blocks away from where the boy was struck.
Martinez suffered severe trauma to his head and torso. He was transported by EMS to NYC Health and Hospital/Elmhurst but could not be saved.
The boy was holding his father’s hand at the time of the deadly incident, CBS New York reported. His father pulled him back as he saw the Dodge turning, but the vehicle struck the boy and dragged him, the news outlet reported.
A GoFundMe page was set up for the family early this morning to raise money to cover funeral costs. It has raised nearly $4,000 so far.
Neighbors say they have been concerned about vehicles speeding along McIntosh Street for some time.
“Some people, they drive so fast,” one resident told CBS. “We need a stop sign… we need a speed bump.”
There have been no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing.
The driver, who police say was in a white-colored Dodge Ram, was traveling northbound on McIntosh Street before making a turn onto 100th Street (Photo: Google Maps)
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