Photo: iStock
May 20, 2011 Staff Report
A 62-year-old Asian woman was pronounced dead this morning after an alleged drunk driver plowed into her while she was crossing a Woodside street.
Shenyu Chin was struck by a white Ford Explorer at 8:30 am, police said, while she was at a cross walk at 61st Street and Roosevelt Ave. The woman was hit by a 54-year-old Hispanic man who was later arrested for driving while intoxicated, police said.
(UPDATE) The police later identified the alleged perpetrator as Claudius Taylor.
Chin, who was pronounced dead upon arrival at Elmhurst General Hospital, was thrown some distance after being struck by the SUV, and her shoes and socks were knocked off upon impact.
The Ford Explorer was traveling west toward Sunnyside, while Chin was crossing the street from the northern side of Roosevelt Ave. to the southern side.
A witness to the incident said that Chin had the walk signal and was entitled to cross, and believed that the SUV driver was going faster than the 30 MPH speed limit.
It took a few minutes for fire and rescue to get to the crowded Woodside scene. The witness said he couldn’t really look at the Chin because her injuries were too severe. He said people had started to give Chin CPR before EMS arrived.
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34 Comments
Chien,
I remember this morning walking to the train station on my way to work and always wondered what had happened. I knew it was something tragic because there was this sad vibe in the air. I walked to the store today and saw the flowers w a pic of your beautiful mother. I cried my way home, my mother was recently in a accident, she was hit by two deliquents in a stolen car running from the cops. She survived and I can’t even imagine my life without her. My deepest condolences to you and your family. We have to appreciate our loved ones and have to tell them daily because we take life for granted.
so very sorry to hear about this, my heart goes out to you and your family.
blessings,
Jak
My deepest condolences and may you find strength in your family and friends.
Really real;ly sad to hear and may her soul rest in peace and paradise abode for her – also strength and bless for family
In my deepest prayers
rgds
Zarif
Ps: Parting shot – the drunk Driver should be Meted “biblical justice” or full extent of Saudi law
To whoever left the green flowers and the roses at the corner….thank you (if you’re still following this story)
Sorry Chien. Again; I am so, so sorry for your tragic loss….
Johnny: That’s not my mother. My mother passed away at around 8:30 AM on Friday. She had just been back from Taiwan the day before. Thank you for your observation.
This is terrible news. My deepest condolences to your family. It’s very hard when losing a loved one. Our family will be praying for yours, always remember the love your mom gave to this life.
Chien. Did you or another sibling graduate from NYU that Friday? I ask because I was speaking to a Chinese woman while waiting for my ride to work and I believe it to be your Mother. She said her son was graduating and forgot his cap. My condolences for your tragic loss. I don’t want to begin to imagine how painful this must be for you and your family…
My mother knew Mrs. Chien. She was a great friend to all and will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.
I was also there
I am sorry that Ms. Chien
Was taken from us
The driver, at least
Stopped, and seemed a bit contrite
He was going FAST
That he was a drunk
Seems immaterial ’cause
Most folk drive too fast
Know that she mattered
To all of the people there
On Roosevelt ave
I’ll never forget
Mrs. Chien on the pavement
on her way to God
I have prayed for your mom the night before. And last night i also read the sutra for your mom. I will go to her funeral. Take good care of your family.
This is terrible news. My deepest condolences to your family.
There are no words to say tears,come from my heark…Barry Mazurek
Sherry is our beloved cousin who misses our mother just as much as us….there isn’t a single person she has met whose live she did not touch. The world is indeed much poorer without my mother. We were all blessed to have her in our lives and she will be sorely missed.
I am very sorry to here about your mother. She didn’t deserve this. She was a great young women. I hope the kids and the father wouldn’t take this onto themselves. Rest in peace. I send my heart out to this family.
This is terrible news. I always feel uneasy crossing the street at that intersection. Now I know why. Same for Queens Boulevard and Northern Boulevard.
My deepest condolences to the Chien family. I was also at the scene and am sending the family my heartfelt sympathies. My appreciation to my fellow neighbors who quickly moved to perform CPR (as I was stunned).
Hi Chien,
Aunt Shu-Nu will be very much missed by my parents and Si and myself.
Anything you need, just let us know. We’re only a phone call away.
We left flowers at the corner today. We’re here for you and your family.
To: 1 of the 3 who stayed with your mom to the end
Tk’s!
I was one of the three people who attempted to perform CPR, revive and comfort your mom. I held her right hand as she passed from us. One woman in particular did her utmost best to save her. It was the saddest thing and the feeling of pain and loss must be overbearing for you, but I prayed for her at that time, and today, and I want you to know that she did not die alone. We were with her until the police and EMTs arrived.
I would like to meet you to offer my condolences and come to the wake and funeral. You can call me anytime at 347-527-0620. I don’t want to give my name here, but I live in Woodside
This episode could have very well been any one of us. Only yesterday I was thinking of how it’s important to be more careful while crossing streets. Although I didn’t know here, I shall think of her while I wait.
My sincerest condolences to Mrs. Chien’s family and friends. I wish her children much patience as they grieve.
I’d like to also offer my prayers and sympathies to the Chien family. Clearly, the world is a poorer place without her. I will light a candle at St. Teresa’s on Sunday for her.
My condolences to the Chien family.
This was my mother. I am beside myself as to how this happened.
There were few people as altruistic and giving as my mother. She did not deserve this fate. The drunk driver deserves the worst fate possible by law for how they have turned my family upside down.
My condolences to the family of Mrs. Chien and all who knew and loved her. Words are inadequate to express my sympathy and sorrow that anyone is taken from us so violently by simply walking on the street.
Sartke, I agree there’s a problem within our culture with regard to reckless driving.
Rest in peace, Shu-Nu. My wife works with one of the sons, and this tragedy feels like it took away a family member to me practically in how it’s impacted her. No mercy for drunk drivers.
Condolences to the family of Shu-Nu Chien ..
….Throw the book at the drunk driver … No one should lose their mother or anyone this way ..
The spelling of the victim’s name was provided by the New York Police Dept. That, of course, doesn’t mean the NYPD’s information is right.
I know the son of the woman killed. She was loved dearly. I have no remorse for the driver and whatever punishment he receives.
(Also, Mrs. Chien’s first and last name is misspelled)
Shenyu was as good of a person as they come: an angel of a woman. She raised wonderful sons. I will miss her stories and cooking. We’ve lost a gem.
The drunk driver killed my mother. Her name is Shu-Nu Chien. Traffic on the Roosevelt Ave and 61st St is rarely this wreckless, and at the speed that the driver was going, my mother may not have had the reaction speed to get out of the way. You have to be aware at all times. Mom, I love you and I miss you so much.
It’s easy to pin this all on one man’s stupidity (surely I’m not the only one rooting for life without parole) and the demon alcohol. But in truth this is just part of New York’s culture of wreckless driving. How can a police officer figure out who’s a drunk driver when everyone in this city drives like a drunk driver? In a city where traffic laws and speed limits are obeyed, somebody like this would have been pulled over (or at the very least, they’d be too afraid to speed, knowing that there was a good chance they’d be caught.)
Harsher DUI laws are always a good thing, but they’re not enough. Until drastic measures are taken, this story will play itself out again and again and again. This isn’t the first time, it’s not going to be the last time. But it didn’t need to happen.
Condolences to the family of Ms Chin.
What I have to say about the drunk driver isn’t appropriate for a family oriented website.