Tragic Car Accident on Staten Island

A devastating car accident on Staten Island Friday morning resulted in the deaths of a 6-year-old girl and a 90-year-old man, officials report.

According to the NYPD, the incident occurred just before 10 a.m. A 50-year-old man was driving an Audi Q5 westbound on Rockland Avenue when he made a left turn onto Forest Hills Road, colliding with a Honda HRV operated by a 70-year-old woman.

Emergency responders managed to get three children out of one of the vehicles, among them Angeli Vasquez-Trinidad, age 6, and Gerardo Avila, 90 years old. The unidentified 70-year-old driver was taken to Staten Island University North Campus Hospital.

Sadly, Vasquez-Trinidad succumbed to her injuries two days later, while Avila also passed away at the hospital shortly after the accident. The woman’s condition remains serious but stable. It is unclear how the victims are related.

A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to help with funeral expenses. The fundraiser described Vasquez-Trinidad as a “kind” and “playful” child, whose presence could brighten anyone’s day.

“Even at just six years old, Angeli had so much light to share. She was truly kind, fun, and loved deeply,” the statement from the fundraiser expressed.

The loss has left a profound impact, with family members expressing that they were unprepared for such heartbreak. “There’s an emptiness in our hearts and homes that can never be filled,” they shared.

The campaign has successfully raised over $13,600 to ensure that Vasquez-Trinidad receives the “beautiful and dignified farewell” she deserves.

Meanwhile, the Audi driver has not been identified and is reported to be stable in the hospital. So far, no arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.