In a heartbreaking turn of events, a devastating accident in Astoria, Queens, has left a community reeling after an 84-year-old driver lost control and plowed into a food truck, taking three lives, including his own.
According to New York Post, on Tuesday, a catastrophic collision at the intersection of 42nd Street and 19th Avenue claimed the lives of two pedestrians, Joaquin Venancio, 41, and Santiago Baires, 70, alongside the elderly motorist behind the wheel of a 2010 Toyota Corolla.
The tragedy unfolded as the driver sped north on 42nd Street, barreling through the busy intersection without apparent regard for the bustling morning crowd.
His vehicle slammed into a food truck where Venancio and Baires were grabbing coffee, a routine stop turned deadly in an instant.
The impact was so brutal that it severed one victim’s foot, a grim detail underscoring the sheer force of the crash.
Surveillance footage captured the horrifying moment, showing the car careening into the truck with no chance for bystanders to react.
Giancarlo Caruso, a food-truck worker, recounted the chaos: “All of a sudden I hear loud screeching from tires.” His words paint a scene of raw terror, but let’s be honest—when speed limits are treated as mere suggestions in a crowded area like this, disaster isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable.
Caruso added, “Someone screamed really loudly.” It’s a chilling reminder that in a split second, lives were shattered, and no amount of progressive traffic calming measures can undo such reckless tragedy.
Joaquin Venancio, a marathon runner, was pronounced dead at the scene, while Santiago Baires, a father of eight with 14 grandchildren, was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital Center alongside the driver, only to succumb to their injuries.
Venancio’s family owns Astoria Discount Tires, just across from the crash site, making the loss even more personal as they witnessed the aftermath steps from their livelihood.
Abel Venancio, Joaquin’s brother, lamented, “Happiest person ever.” It’s a gut punch to hear such warmth about a man taken too soon, especially when commonsense driving could have prevented this nightmare.
Santiago Baires, an immigrant from El Salvador who built a sprawling family and worked in landscaping, was remembered by his son Yoni as “the best dad.” Such a legacy deserves better than to end at the hands of unchecked speed in a 25-mph zone.
After striking the food truck, the Toyota spun out, smashing into a Volvo sedan driven by a 42-year-old man who, thankfully, escaped unharmed amid the wreckage of multiple vehicles.
Francisco Neto, owner of a nearby doggie daycare, noted, “This is a busy street.” His observation hits hard—urban areas like this, packed with tire shops and mechanics, aren’t playgrounds for lead-footed drivers, yet here we are, counting the cost of negligence over safety.
