By Phil Corso
The death of a 3-year-old girl crossing the street with her grandmother in Flushing has sent chills through the hearts of Queens community members as elected officials offered their condolences.
Allison Liao, of 77th Road in Hillcrest, was killed Sunday evening after she was struck by an SUV on Cherry Avenue in Flushing, the Police Department said. She was crossing the intersection near Main Street with her grandmother around 5:30 p.m. when a 2000 Nissan SUV tried to make a left turn off Cherry Avenue and hit her, cops said.
She was taken to New York Hospital Queens, where she was pronounced dead, the NYPD said.
The driver stayed at the scene and an investigation was ongoing, authorities said.
After the accident, the Flushing street corner was decorated with flowers and a small white teddy bear in memory of the toddler. Elected officials also expressed their heartfelt apologies and vowed to use their offices to try and make the area safer for pedestrians.
State Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) said traffic fatalities were becoming too common to her northeast Queens district.
“Accidents like these occur all too often. This tragedy serves as a reminder that we must be diligent in ensuring that our roadways are safe for both drivers and pedestrians,” Rozic said. “As a community, we will come together and work to make Main Street safer for everyone.”
City Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) also released a statement after the accident and expressed his wish to comfort the family.
“This is a heartbreaking loss of such a young life and appears to be a tragic accident,” Koo said. “I hope to meet with her family to express my sympathies in person and offer any assistance during their mourning for their loved one.”
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
