Driver Charged After Two Pedestrians Killed in Sunset Park
Police charged 23-year-old Juventino Anastacio Florentino after a driver in a 2011 BMW sedan disregarded traffic control and hit Kex Un Chen, 80, and Faqiu Lin, 59, at Third Avenue and 52nd Street, records and reports say.
What We Know
Kex Un Chen, 80, and Faqiu Lin, 59, were killed before dawn on July 11, 2025, at Third Avenue and 52nd Street in Sunset Park. The city crash record says both men were pedestrians crossing with the signal when a driver in a southbound sedan disregarded traffic control; the vehicle record also lists unsafe speed. Police later arrested 23-year-old Juventino Anastacio Florentino in Staten Island and charged him with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, reckless driving and related offenses. News outlets reported surveillance video of a BMW speeding south on Third Avenue before the driver left the scene. Accounts differ on the pedestrian signal: the city record and CBS reported the men had the signal, while Streetsblog reported they entered against the light before it changed.
Two men were killed before dawn
The crash happened at 4:22 a.m. on July 11, 2025, at Third Avenue and 52nd Street in Sunset Park. The city crash record lists two pedestrians killed and no reported injuries.
The official record says both pedestrians were at the intersection and crossing with the signal. It lists traffic control disregarded as a contributing factor for the crash and, in the vehicle record, unsafe speed for the 2011 BMW sedan traveling south on Third Avenue.
Video accounts describe speed and flight
ABC7 reported that surveillance video showed the BMW speeding southbound before the driver hit the men and did not appear to brake before leaving the scene. CBS reported that video showed the crosswalk sign giving the victims the right of way; Streetsblog reported a different account, saying footage showed the men entered against the light before it changed as they reached the middle of the street.
The crash happened on a Third Avenue corridor long criticized as dangerous
The intersection sits under the elevated Gowanus Expressway in Sunset Park, where Third Avenue runs through a busy industrial and neighborhood corridor.
Streetsblog reported that the city had paused a planned Third Avenue safety redesign after opposition from local businesses. CBS quoted Councilmember Alexa Aviles saying the deaths showed why Third Avenue needs safety investments, and residents told CBS that serious incidents happen often on that stretch.
The victims were identified as Kex Un Chen and Faqiu Lin
Police and news reports identified the men killed as Kex Un Chen, 80, and Faqiu Lin, 59. The official crash record lists both as male pedestrians.
The Daily News reported that Chen immigrated to New York City from Fujian, China, in 2016 and lived with family in Brooklyn. His son, Qin Xiao Chen, described him as independent, selfless and devastated the family with his death.
ABC7 reported that City Harvest said the men may have been on their way to its Mobile Market to access food. A Sunset Park resident told ABC7 that people often lined up early for the pantry.
Police arrested the driver in Staten Island
Police arrested Juventino Anastacio Florentino, 23, later the same day. ABC7 reported that police tracked a 2011 BMW 3 Series sedan near his Staten Island home using video and pieces left at the scene.
News outlets reported charges including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene of a fatal crash, reckless driving and reckless endangerment. Gothamist reported he was expected to be arraigned in Brooklyn criminal court; the Daily News reported a judge set bail at $100,000.
The Daily News reported that prosecutors said officers smelled alcohol on Florentino's breath after his arrest and that a breath test showed 0.06 percent blood alcohol content, below the legal limit. His attorney noted in court that he was not facing drunk-driving charges.