Queens, NY (September 21, 2025) – A fatal hit-and-run occurred Friday morning, 19th September, 2025, on the eastbound Nassau Expressway near Exit 1N when 44-year-old Isabel Alvarez of the Bronx, a construction flagger directing traffic, was struck by a 2018 Infiniti Q50S driven by 25-year-old Daveanand Budhai. The collision happened around 7:30 a.m. while Alvarez was standing in a safety zone between the exit ramp and the expressway lanes.
First responders pronounced Alvarez dead at the scene. Budhai fled but was apprehended shortly afterward near South Conduit Avenue and 134th Street. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in stable condition before being placed into custody. Budhai faces multiple charges, including assault, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless driving.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash. The New York State Department of Transportation emphasized the importance of slowing down and exercising caution in work zones to prevent future tragedies.
Our thoughts are with the family, co-workers, and loved ones of Isabel Alvarez during this difficult time.
