Gelacio Reyes
April 4, 2017 By Hannah Wulkan
The family of a Corona man who was struck and killed by an unlicensed drunk driver in Sunnyside on Saturday is working to raise money to cover his funeral costs.
Gelacio Reyes, 32, was biking home from work on 43rd Avenue near 39th Street at around 3:00 am when he was the victim of a hit-and-run. Reyes was later pronounced dead at Elmhurst Hospital, according to police.
Now, Reyes’ family has started a GoFundMe page to raise money to help cover his funeral costs. His wife, Flor Jimenez, wrote on the page that Reyes was the main provider for the family, which included two sons and a newborn baby girl.
“I thank everyone who can help me raise money to cover funeral costs,” Jimenez wrote.
The fundraising page launched yesterday evening with a goal of $2,000 and has already surpassed that total. As of this morning, the page had raised $2,270 from 60 donations. Many of those donating on the page also left messages of condolences.
The driver, 25-year-old Cristian Guiracocha fled the scene of the accident, but was arrested several hours later in his vehicle near Laurel Hill Boulevard and 59th Street, according to Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, who was briefed on the incident.
Guiracocha was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree. He was released on $100,000 bail and is due back in court April 14, said a spokesperson for Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
Reyes’ funeral will take place at 104-02 37 Avenue in Corona on April 6 from 4 to 9 p.m.
To learn more or donate to the fundraiser, visit https://www.gofundme.com/3ll8d6g.
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10 Comments
How is it that this person decides to ride a bike when it’s pouring outside and wind was very high? I mean I didn’t brother waiting for the train I paid Uber that day. The wind was so nasty. The cops have the video camera and should just release it to the public unless it really is showing that the cyclist cause his own death…. and that would suck because you can’t charge someone with murder if the victim is the one who cause their death.. everyday I see cyclist passing red lights and not paying attention to the road and they should be more careful. They have complete control of the bike but a driver doesn’t. The car could have the best brakes and still will not stop when the car brakes it’ll slow down till it completely stops as for a bike the person will fall if they brake hard. Because it’s not a 2000lb thing it’s a 30 lbs bike.
The police stated that the cyclist had ran a red light and the driver was in favor of the green light, obviously we all know who’s fault it is for his death. I bet the guy didn’t stop because he was scared and how is it that someone calls the cops right away in a area where there is only buildings and blocks away from residential buildings seems suspicious to me more like plan. We should be able to get the details on regards if the cyclist was intoxicate or not. For all we know is that the cyclist was drunk as well and we don’t even know if he is a family guy. The brother in law stated he gets out of work at 12am how is it he is still on his way home at 3am when on bike it’s only an hour to get there. Especially at night with no traffic. Just stop it we live in a world were we need to feel sorry for those who got it bad but they’re the ones who caused their own situations. It doesn’t say suspend license so I’m assume he has the right to drive except he needed to get his license. I’m not defending the driver I’m just pissed because I got a ticket for having tinted windows and three cyclist just passed a red light in front of the cops and they didn’t stop them. No I don’t feel bad for the cyclist who BROKE the LAW as well and resulting in his death.
This is heartbreaking for so many. Thank you Sunnyside Post for following this story& getting the word out on so many issues. May help/prayers continue for Gelacio.Am thinking of the old saying”To the world he was one person, to his family he was the world..”
How did this scumbag come up with 100k? Jeez..
$100,000 bail…??? This scumbag is in the wind the first chance he gets…..
What a sad, sad story. God bless the man and his family. God help the driver, may he learn from this grevious incident.
This is heart breaking news. G-d bless Gelacio’s family.
This man/father/husband was murdered. Anyone that can donate should. I’m sure they are having a hard time right now.
Guiracocha should get life..
Sad story.
He didn’t even stop.