Flushing Driver Indicted on 12 Counts in Crash That Killed 1-Year-Old Boy
FLUSHING, Queens — Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on November 6 that Elvin Rivera, 57, of Flushing, has been indicted by a grand jury on 12 counts, including second-degree manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault, unlicensed driving and drug-impaired driving, in the October 11 crash that killed 1-year-old Justin Hu. Prosecutors said that at about 8:35 a.m. on Sunday, October 11, Rivera drove a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup north on Murray Street, failed to stop at the stop sign at 32nd Avenue and accelerated through the intersection, striking Justin Hu as a nanny pushed his stroller across 32nd Avenue. The boy died shortly after being taken to a hospital.
Rivera remained at the scene; a field test and subsequent blood test confirmed cocaine and THC in his system. Prosecutors said Rivera was driving in violation of his restricted license and also has an April 2026 drunken-driving case pending in the Bronx. Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis ordered Rivera to appear on January 7, 2027; the top count carries 5 to 15 years in prison if he is convicted. Katz said Rivera 'selfishly decided to drive under the influence of cocaine and THC' and offered condolences to the boy's family.
Source: Queens District Attorney's Office
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 纽约法拉盛缅街（Wikimedia Commons，Public domain）
