Some Say Intersection Intersection is Quite Confusing

Angela Hurtado, 68, was crossing the street at Grand Avenue and 69th Place on her way to Bingo just after 11 a.m Saturday morning, January 18, when she was hit by a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero driven by Abel Tinoco of Queens. the driver of the car was making an illegal left turn which Maspeth residents know is all too typical.

Witnesses say it was snowing at the time and visibility was not at its best. Hurtado was carrying an umbrella, which was next to her as the blood came from her head. She was walking from Stokes towards Deals and might not have seen the car making the illegal turn. Most who make that walk wouldn’t expect to see a car coming since it is illegal. “She died right there,” said one witness on Monday morning.

Tinoco was headed north on 69th Place when he made an illegal left turn onto Grand Avenue. Only right turns are permitted at the intersection, and the traffic light clearly has a green right turn signal indicating the restriction.

Hurtado was taken to Elmhurst Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Tinoco, 28, remained on the scene and was arrested. He was charged with driving without a license.

According to Dmytro Fedkowskyj, a community Board #5 member, who said he witnessed the aftermath, apparently EMS responded within minutes.

Joe, proprietor of Glendale Bake shop, has been working at that location for more than twenty years. “After the accident the police came in to see if my video cameras picked up anything.” Although the green arrows are clear then intersection is still quite confusing. Something needs to be done,” he said.

Fedkowskyj said that intersection can be made safer. “The street leading to Grand Avenue could be made narrower and there can be clear markings on the street as well,” he said.