Fatal Queens Crash: Car Plows into Coffee Truck and Pedestrians, Killing Three

Devastating Collision in Astoria

• 💥 A car traveling at high speed plowed through an intersection in Astoria, Queens, resulting in a devastating crash.
• ⚠️ The vehicle, described as moving "like a bat out of hell," disregarded a stop sign before colliding head-on with a parked food truck.

Victims of the Tragedy

• 💔 Three individuals were pronounced dead at the scene: the driver of the speeding car, and two pedestrians.
• 🎯 The pedestrians, aged 70 and 42, were reportedly standing and talking when they were struck by the out-of-control vehicle.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The 42-year-old victim, identified as Waqen Venencio, manager of Discount Tire Group, was a father of two.

Eyewitness Accounts and Aftermath

• 🗣️ Witnesses reported hearing the engine and tires before the crash, followed by screams.
• 🚚 The food truck owner, John Carlo Caruso, narrowly escaped injury but his truck was totaled in the collision.
• 😭 Family members and friends gathered in shock and disbelief, mourning the loss of Waqen Venencio, remembered as a generous and well-known member of the community.

Ongoing Investigation

• 🚓 Police are investigating the cause of the crash, focusing on why the 84-year-old driver was speeding.
• 📍 The incident occurred on 42nd Street near 19th Avenue just before 9 AM.