Queens Mourns Loss Of Teen

Hundreds of people gathered on Monday at Our Lady Of Snows Church in Glen Oaks to mourn the accidental death of 15-year-old Giulia Lewis on November 5. On November 6, more than 350 of her classmates gathered in the auditorium of St. Francis Prep High School for a memorial service in which students prayed, sang and Lewis friend, Allison Kenny, read an essay written by the teen.
"She was so sweet, she was nice to everyone," said Stephanie Bolivar, a fellow sophomore. "She was down to earth, her cheeks would get red when she was embarrassed."
Since the accident, the high school has offered counselling for students who felt the need to express their grief and Lewis locker was covered over as a makeshift memorial. Students were also encouraged to speak about her in their classes.
"The school has been unbelievable," said one student who wished not to be named. "You can go to the chapel and the campus ministry. If you didnt want to do something in class, you didnt have to do it."
The incident occurred when Lewis and two friends, Christie Logan and Kenny, were crossing 80th Avenue at 260th Street on the way to Logans home. The were halfway across the intersection when a driver swerved onto the wrong side of the road to pass a slower vehicle and plowed into Lewis, vaulting her into the air and knocking off one of her shoes. Kennedy was struck in the leg causing a minor injury and Logan was in hurt. The impact caused a fracture in Lewis skull which, in turn, caused a fatal injury to her brain.
The driver, identified as Ayal Levi, 42, of new Hyde Park, was not found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and was not charged. Department of Motor Vehicle records showed two moving violations on his record, one in February of 2002 for speeding and one in November of 2002 for an improper turn.
Now, Queens residents are expressing their anger over the fact that no criminal investigation is being undertaken and that Levi was not arrested.
"I think its wrong that this guy can go free, its not fair," said Michelle Luzniewski, a sophomore at St. Francis Prep.