New York Personal Injury Attorneys BlogAlleged Intentional Killing: Queens Teen Pinned and Killed by SUV — Could Dram Shop Liability Hold a Bar or Restaurant Responsible?
Exploring wrongful death, personal injury, and bar liability after an alcohol-fueled, intentional vehicle attack
A horrifying incident in Queens left 16-year-old Jhoanny Alvarez dead after, prosecutors say, a man intentionally drove his Chevrolet Suburban into a group of people outside the Prima Donna Restaurant in the early hours of September 15, 2025. The Queens District Attorney has since charged 38-year-old Edwin Cruz Gomez with murder, attempted murder, and related counts. Police report that Cruz Gomez’s blood alcohol concentration measured 0.137% after the crash.
When a violent act with a motor vehicle results in death, victims’ families face two separate paths to justice: criminal prosecution and civil recovery. In addition to a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver, the family may have grounds to pursue Dram Shop liability against any establishment that negligently sold or served alcohol to the driver before the attack. In catastrophic cases involving alleged intentional conduct and intoxication, a thorough civil investigation can mean the difference between partial and full accountability.
