By Michael V. Cusenza
Two people were killed and four others injured Saturday after an out-of-control BMW blasted a divider on the precarious Belt Parkway near the Cross Bay Boulevard exit, eventually landing on the opposite side of the thoroughfare, according to police and published reports.
Driver Noah Thompson, 24, and passenger Jewel Perez, 22, a mother of two young children, were rushed to Brookdale Hospital where they were pronounced dead. There were three other passengers in the BMW, but they suffered minor injuries. No one in the luxury vehicle was wearing a seatbelt.
Courtesy of WABC-TV
Just one of many images of Saturday’s horrific scene.
According to investigators, Thompson was driving—allegedly at a high rate of speed—eastbound on the Belt around 6 a.m. when he hit the divider, catapulting the car across the parkway onto the westbound side. The BMW collided with two cars before coming to a halt and exploding into a ball of flames and dense smoke. The westbound side of the Belt was shut down for several hours.
Khaseim Perez, the brother of the female victim, has set up a Go Fund Me crowd-sourcing page to help offset “unexpected funeral” costs and other expenses.
“Jewel was a loving, energetic mother who dreamed of entering the medical field so she could help others the way she always helped others,” he wrote. “She leaves behind two beautiful children, Arbury (age 3) and Autumn (age 1).
Photo Courtesy of Khaseim Perez
Victim Jewel Perez and her two children.
“If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this page with your network. Every prayer, share, and dollar is deeply appreciated as we honor Jewel’s memory and make sure her children are cared for.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, $2,616 has been raised on the site. To contribute, visit gofundme.com/f/funeral-help-for-jewel-support-her-kids.
