An off-duty FDNY firefighter, Michael Pena, has been arrested and charged following a deadly car crash in East Elmhurst, Queens, that claimed the life of 23-year-old Justin Diaz from Brooklyn.
The crash occurred around 4:15 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of 107th Street and Northern Boulevard.
Surveillance Video Shows High-Speed Impact
Surveillance footage captured the moment of impact, showing a Mercedes speeding through a red light before slamming into the driver’s side of a BMW, forcefully pushing it down the street.
Victim:
- Justin Diaz, 23, was driving the BMW.
- He was rushed to a nearby hospital but did not survive.
Suspect:
- The driver of the Mercedes was identified as 28-year-old Michael Pena, an off-duty FDNY firefighter.
- He was taken into custody at the scene.
- Two passengers in the Mercedes were also hospitalized in stable condition.
Charges Against Michael Pena
Pena now faces multiple charges, including:
- Second-degree vehicular manslaughter
- Driving while intoxicated (DWI)
- Refusal to take a breath test
Community Mourns Justin Diaz
Tributes near the crash site:
- Family and friends gathered at the scene Wednesday night.
- They left flowers, candles, and a sign in memory of Diaz.
