Earlier yesterday, tragedy struck South Ozone Park, Queens, when a taxi involved in a collision with a Honda Accord veered off the road and onto a sidewalk, ending the life of a pedestrian and injuring two others. As reported by ABC7NY, 51-year-old Vidya Dookran-Franco, a substitute teacher and an active community member, lost her life in the accident that occurred at the intersection of 115th Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard.
After the impact, Dookran-Franco was left with severe bodily trauma that she did not survive. This event marks the second disturbing incident this week involving a yellow cab striking pedestrians, according to the same report. The other two victims of the crash, men aged 44 and 49, sustained minor injuries and were reported to be in stable condition after being taken to Jamaica Hospital. The drivers of both vehicles involved remained on the scene as the Highway Patrol conducted their investigation, which has yet to reveal any elements of criminality at the time.
The community of South Ozone Park is reeling from this incident, as evidenced by a witness statement obtained by CBS News. "Being pinned between a car and a wall, the way it looked ... It did look gruesome," said Gianni, a witness. The site of the accident is described as a "little utopia," where everybody knows each other, and the distress caused by this calamity is palpable. Family members described Dookran-Franco as a loving and kind presence who brought smiles to those around her.
A vigil for Dookran-Franco is planned by relatives to be held at the crash site Sunday, a somber occasion for the community to mourn and remember. Amidst their mourning, some pedestrians shared their apprehensions, with one telling CBS News, "You hate to see it happen to other people knowing that it could also, God forbid, happen to you."
