By Anna Gustafson
Following an accident last week in Rego Park that claimed one life and sent two teenagers to the hospital, residents said they are concerned about speeding and crime in the area.
“You see a lot of kids, and older people, too, traveling at excessive speeds down this road,” Rego Park resident Winona Song, 44, said in reference to Woodhaven Boulevard. “I’m not surprised there was an accident, especially since I heard the kids were trying to get away from the cops.”
A 22−year−old man from out−of−state was pronounced dead on arrival at Elmhurst Hospital after he and two teenagers crashed a stolen vehicle into a Long Island Expressway pillar at Woodhaven Boulevard and Eliot Avenue in Rego Park June 3, police said. The 17− and 15−year−old passengers were taken to Elmhurst Hospital in stable condition, police said.
Police have not released their identities, but they did say the two teenagers are from Brooklyn. They have been released from the hospital, according to police.
A call came in just before 1:50 a.m., reporting teenagers were stealing car parts at the corner of 59th Road and 68th Street, police said. When the officers arrived at the scene, they saw a black Lincoln Town Car with a Pennsylvania license plate speeding on Eliot Avenue. While attempting to get away from police, the Lincoln Town Car made a left on Woodhaven Boulevard and crashed into the pillar, a police spokeswoman said.
“It’s really worrisome because I’ve heard a lot of stories about young people tinkering with other people’s cars and stealing things from them in this area,” said Rego Park resident Allison Cherwony.
Rich German, who also lives in Rego Park, said he was worried about an uptick in speeding in the area.
“I’ve lived here for five years, and it seems like more and more people are going faster and faster,” German said. “It makes you wonder if you should even be crossing the road.”
Reach reporter Anna Gustafson by e−mail at agustafson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718−229−0300, Ext. 174.
