Tragedy struck in the Corona section of Queens as two pedestrians, a 14-year-old girl and a 71-year-old man, were injured after being hit by a reportedly intoxicated driver. According to ABC7NY, the accident occurred near 102 Street and Martense Avenue. Both victims were taken to the hospital and are now reported to be in stable condition.
The driver, identified as 40-year-old Luis Saula Qunidi, allegedly failed to safely operate his vehicle. As a result, he faces multiple charges, including driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. In a turn of events to seemingly underscore the gravity of this situation, the same driver is believed to have subsequently crashed into a parked car and a building. Audacy's 1010 WINS reports that the white Honda Accord involved was speeding down 102nd Street before the driver apparently lost control.
The two affected individuals were taken to two different hospitals; one victim to Booth Memorial Hospital and the other to Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Remarkably, through the chaos and the collisions, they remained stable, a small testament to their resilience, or perhaps to the fortuity of the survival instincts that kick in on these urban battlefields.
As the investigation into this series of dangerous events continues, the community of Corona is left to deal with the aftermath and implications. The driver, now in police custody, has his charges pending while the neighborhood reconciles the disruption and violence brought suddenly into their streets.
