In December of last year, tragedy struck in Queens, New York, as a speeding driver caused a fatal collision on Christmas Eve. Paul Lee, a 20-year-old resident of Delaware, was behind the wheel of a blue BMW when he crashed into a white Lexus SUV being driven by Toliza Hong, a 72-year-old woman, near Peck Avenue and Utopia Parkway in Fresh Meadows. The impact of the collision caused the Lexus to overturn, leaving Hong critically injured. Despite being rushed to the hospital, she tragically passed away two days later.
Lee himself sustained injuries in the crash and was subsequently arrested. According to CBS News, he now faces charges of criminally negligent homicide, reckless driving, and exceeding the speed limit. His arraignment was pending as authorities sought justice for the devastating consequences of the incident.
This collision, which occurred just after 1 p.m., left both drivers hospitalized, with the young man in serious condition and the elderly woman in critical condition. The surveillance footage captured the moment when Lee's BMW collided with Hong's Lexus, resulting in a T-bone collision that shook the neighborhood of Fresh Meadows.
Witnesses reported that speeding was a common issue in the area, echoing concerns that have now escalated due to this tragic event.