Tragic Incident Involving Teenager and Reckless Driver

A disturbing social media video captured a horrific moment when a 16-year-old girl was struck by a car after she rejected an inappropriate advance over the weekend.

In the footage, Jomes Alvarez, along with her family and boyfriend, was seen near the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and 91st Street in Elmhurst. The group included her mother and stepfather, Edwin Cruz Gomez, who is 38 years old.

Cruz Gomez, reportedly “very drunk” at the time, had a suspended license. The video shows him driving on the sidewalk and crashing into Gomez Alvarez, fatally pinning her against a pole.

One particularly troubling clip, seemingly from TikTok, shows a teenage relative trying to confront the reckless driver by tapping on his car window. Eventually, the relative retreated down a one-way street.

According to Assistant District Attorney Abigail Nowmiller, “The 16-year-old was hit so hard that she suffered fatal injuries.” This statement was made during Cruz Gomez’s arrest in Queens.

The heartbreaking video depicts a teenager’s mother kneeling beside her daughter, crying out “Mija!” which means “my daughter” in Spanish.

Emergency Medical Services declared Gomez Alvarez dead on the scene, while her mother was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center with a leg injury. She is reported to be in stable condition.

Prosecutors stated that the incident followed a fight that had erupted outside a nearby restaurant. Gomez Alvarez had just left the establishment with her relatives when Cruz Gomez began to harass her and her mother.

Cruz Gomez allegedly made inappropriate comments such as, “I want to have sex with you,” and “If I gave you money, will you sleep with me?” This provoked a confrontation with Gomez Alvarez’s stepfather, according to the court.

Videos circulating on TikTok showed two men on the ground, including her stepfather, during the fight.

As bystanders intervened, Gomez Alvarez’s family left the scene. Cruz Gomez, wearing a Louis Vuitton jacket, was seen returning to his car.

Later, he told authorities, “My family beat me there. It happened here. Listen, I’m not going to prison. They assaulted me outside the bar because I said something about the girls.”

He explained, “Her boyfriend attacked me. I mentioned something about meeting a girl. I might have said something inappropriate. I was upset.” He added, “I don’t know her. I was in the car. I followed them, and then I crashed into a pole. I was going 25 mph. Did I kill her?”

Cruz Gomez has been charged with numerous offenses, including second-degree murder, attempted murder, and vehicular manslaughter, among other related driving charges.

He remains in custody without bail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Friday. If convicted, Cruz Gomez could face up to 25 years in prison.