ASTORIA, Queens (WABC) — Three people are dead after a car crashed into a coffee truck in Astoria, Queens, and two men standing by it on Tuesday morning.
The crash happened on 19th Avenue and 42nd Street just after 8:30 a.m.
The 84-year-old driver of a Toyota Corolla, who has not been identified, was taken to Elmhurst Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Investigators say two male pedestrians, ages 41 and 70, were standing by the truck and were struck.
The 41-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene and the 70-year-old was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Eyewitnesses said the vehicle was speeding before slamming into the parked coffee truck.
"Must have been going at least 60+ miles an hour just right through the stop sign and within seconds I heard the crash and screams and just dropped everything and ran over there, it was instant," witness George Giakoumis said.
Police say the Toyota spun around after the impact and collided with a Volvo sedan which was attempting to make a U-turn.
Giancarlo Caruso owns the food cart and said he was just closing up shop when he heard the screeching tires.
"I didn't even look back when I heard the tires and heard the screeching, I just actually stepped back, it was like an angel had moved me honestly," Caruso said. "My truck is totaled but I still have my life. I'm just grateful something moved me out of the way."
Caruso said he knew the 41-year-old victim very well and said he was the owner of Astoria Discount Tire — and he was always giving back to the community.
That victim's brother identified him as Joaquin Venancio, a father of two.
Venancio's family said this tragedy should serve to make the streets safer in an area prone to speeding and racing.
———-
* More Queens news
* Send us a news tip
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
* Follow us on YouTube
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
