A tragic accident occurred in Astoria, Queens, on Tuesday morning when an 84-year-old driver crashed into a food truck, killing himself and two customers. The incident, which was captured on video, took place near the intersection of 42nd Street and 19th Avenue. The impact was so severe that it resulted in the amputation of one victim’s foot.
The victims were identified by their families as Joaquin Venancio, a 41-year-old marathon runner, and Santiago Baires, a 70-year-old father of eight with 14 grandchildren. The son of Venancio, overcome with grief, was heard lamenting at the scene, expressing that he wished he had been the one in his father’s place.
The accident occurred when the elderly driver sped his 2010 Toyota Corolla north on 42nd Street, crossing the intersection with 19th Avenue. The vehicle crashed directly into the food truck where the two men were placing their orders. Following the initial collision, the driver’s car spun out of control and hit a Volvo sedan driven by a 42-year-old man, who escaped unharmed.
Giancarlo Caruso, a worker at the food truck, recounted the horrifying moment. He described hearing a loud screeching sound followed by a scream, which prompted him to step back just in time to avoid the speeding vehicle. He described the victims as “laid out and lifeless,” adding that the incident happened so quickly it felt as though he had been removed from the scene.
Venancio’s brother, Abel, who owns a tire shop across from the food truck, remembered his brother as a joyful person who would often buy coffee and treats for others. He described the harrowing moment when he tried to pull his brother from the wreckage, but was unable to do so.
Baires, the other victim, was a landscaper who had brought his large family from El Salvador. His son, Yoni, described his father as “the best dad” and struggled to imagine his mother’s reaction to the tragic news.
Both Venancio and the elderly driver were pronounced dead at the scene, while Baires was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The police have yet to officially identify the victims, pending family notification.
Francisco Neto, owner of a nearby dog daycare, expressed his sorrow over the loss of Venancio, who he knew from the tire shop. He described the street as busy, but said nothing like this had ever happened before.