SOUTH OZONE PARK, Queens — A construction flagger directing traffic around an expressway work zone was struck and killed Friday morning in a hit-and-run crash that has shaken New York’s transportation community.
According to police, the deadly incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. near the eastbound Nassau Expressway and Exit 1N. Investigators say 25-year-old Daveanand Budhai was behind the wheel of a 2018 Infiniti Q50S, speeding when he hit 44-year-old Isabel Alvarez of the Bronx. Alvarez, who was working as a flagger, was stationed in a designated safety zone between the exit ramp and the eastbound lanes of the expressway.
First responders rushed to the scene, but Alvarez was pronounced dead at the site.
Budhai did not remain after the crash. Police say he fled but was located a short time later near South Conduit Avenue and 134th Street. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in stable condition and later taken into custody.
Budhai now faces multiple charges, including assault, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless driving, among other counts.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez issued a solemn statement following the loss of Alvarez, who was part of a state work crew.
“I thank our partners at the New York City Police Department for acting quickly to track down and apprehend the suspected driver. The investigation will continue, but our thoughts now are with our fallen colleague, her loved ones, her co-workers and all our New York State DOT team members who are reeling from this tragedy,” Dominguez said.
She also emphasized the dangers highway workers face daily.
“Every day our workers risk their lives in name of highway safety. Today’s tragic fatality is a stark reminder to the traveling public to slow down and move over, pay attention, respect work zones, and please, keep all of our workers safe.”
The death of Alvarez highlights a broader issue across New York and the country: the rising number of roadside worker fatalities. Despite work zone safety campaigns, distracted and reckless driving continue to place construction crews at risk.
Transportation advocates note that New York law requires drivers to “move over” for workers and emergency responders, but compliance often lags. Crashes in active work zones have surged in recent years, with speed and distracted driving among the leading causes.
For Alvarez’s coworkers and family, the incident is not only a personal tragedy but also a reminder of the high stakes of roadway safety. Her colleagues described her as dedicated and hardworking, someone who took pride in ensuring the safety of others while doing a dangerous job herself.
As Thornton and other New York agencies prepare infrastructure upgrades, officials are urging drivers to remember that behind every traffic cone and work zone sign are men and women whose lives depend on motorists slowing down and paying attention.
Originally reported by Eyewitness News.
.webp)
.png)
