By Michael V. Cusenza
A treasured school crossing guard on Friday morning was struck and killed by a dump truck at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard in Woodhaven.
Krystyna Naprawa, 63, was pronounced dead on the scene by Emergency Medical Service staff.
Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
A makeshift memorial was installed at the scene.
The City Police Department’s report details the incident:
On Friday, October 20, 2023, at approximately 0802 hours, police responded to a 911 call of a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian at the intersection of Woodhaven Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, within the confines of the 102 Precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed a 63-year-old female, unconscious and unresponsive with trauma about the body. EMS responded to the location and pronounced the female deceased at the scene. Further investigation conducted by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad determined that a 2014 Kenworth Dump Truck, operated by a 39-year-old male, was making a right turn, from southbound Woodhaven Boulevard to westbound Atlantic Avenue, when he struck the pedestrian, an on-duty NYPD School Crossing Guard, who was standing in the marked crosswalk on Atlantic Avenue. The vehicle operator remained on scene.
Pursuant to the ongoing investigation, Hector Yepes, 39, was arrested just before midnight that same Friday.
“Today our community suffered an immense tragedy as a crossing guard was killed by a truck on Woodhaven Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue,” State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) said. “Crossing guards put their lives on the line every day and should be applauded for their bravery and dedication to service. My thoughts and prayers, and that of my office team, are with the late crossing guard’s traditional family and occupational family.”
