Tragedy in Woodside: 16-Year-Old Girl Killed, Younger Sister Injured in Hit-and-Run on Last Day of School
A heartbreaking tragedy struck the Woodside community on Wednesday when a 16-year-old girl was killed and her 8-year-old sister severely injured in a hit-and-run incident just blocks away from their school.
The two sisters, identified by family as Jael Zhinin, 16, and her younger sister, were crossing 47th Avenue near 46th Street, close to I.S. 125, when they were struck by a delivery truck around 8 a.m. The incident occurred on the last day of the school year, a morning that should have been filled with excitement and celebration.
Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Jael was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 8-year-old sister sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she remains under medical care.
The driver of the delivery truck initially fled the scene, prompting a swift NYPD investigation. Within hours, authorities announced they had located and arrested the suspect, who is now facing multiple charges, including leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
A Community in Mourning
News of Jael’s death has left the Woodside neighborhood in shock. A makeshift memorial of candles, flowers, and heartfelt notes has grown along the sidewalk near the scene. Friends, classmates, and local residents have gathered to pay their respects, share memories, and demand accountability.
“She was so full of life. Bright, kind, and always helping others,” said one of Jael’s teachers through tears. “This should never have happened.”
Calls for Action
Local leaders and community activists are calling for urgent improvements in pedestrian safety, especially around school zones. Advocates have pointed to the area’s traffic volume and lack of adequate protections for children crossing busy streets.
“This is a preventable tragedy,” said a spokesperson for the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives. “How many more lives have to be lost before the city takes real steps to make these streets safe?”
In response, city officials have pledged to review traffic signals and pedestrian infrastructure near schools in Woodside and throughout Queens. Some are also urging for stricter enforcement of commercial driver conduct in residential areas.
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As the community grieves the loss of a promising young life, many hope Jael Zhinin’s tragic death becomes a catalyst for lasting change — so that no family endures a similar heartbreak.
