Suspect in death of boy in crash surrenders

The suspect whose alleged drag racing killed a five-year-old boy and spawned renewed calls for increased penalties, turned himself in to authorities on Friday, May 9.
Shelmar Adams, 30, of Jamaica, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident for the Thursday, May 8 crash at 164th Place and 109th Avenue that ejected Jordan Mclean, 5, from his aunt’s car, pinning and killing him.
According to reports, Claris Edwards, Mclean’s aunt, was driving him and his mother, Marcia McEachron, home in her Ford Escape SUV on 109th Avenue - a drag racing hot spot, neighbors say - when they were faced with two cars head on.
After one of the vehicles, a blue BMW, hit and spun the SUV, the other car, described as a Jaguar, drove off and did not return, while the passengers of the BMW fled the scene.
Mclean, who moved to Queens from the island of Jamaica just one month ago, was pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital.
“This is an absolutely horrible - and completely preventable - tragedy,” said Senator Serphin Maltese, who along with members of the New York State Senate Task Force on Critical Choices, has introduced legislation to increase penalties for illegal drag racing. “These daredevils jeopardize the lives of innocent people every time they get behind the wheel and race on our public streets. It is unconscionable and they should be held accountable.”
The bill (S.8020) would increase the penalties for street racing from a misdemeanor offense to a felony for repeat offenders.
“Unfortunately, the combination of fast cars and young men leads to drag racing and our society has seen this problem persist for generations,” said Councilmember Leroy Comrie, who referred to Mclean’s death as “murder.” “This generation is heavily influenced by popular entertainment such as movies like the ‘Fast And Furious’ film series, as well as the accompanying video racing games. Moreso, there are now web sites like www.gmrspeed.com and YouTube where dragsters can post self-made videos of their races. It is apparent that a street-racing subculture persists in our country and right here in Queens County.
Comrie is now calling on District Attorney Richard A. Brown to crack down on drag racing in southeast Queens, and on the Department of Transportation (DOT) to install a street light or stop sign at the intersection of 164th Place and 109th Avenue.