SOUTH OZONE PARK, Queens — A young man lost his life in a heartbreaking hit-and-run crash in South Ozone Park late Tuesday night, June 10. Authorities have identified the victim as 25-year-old Antonio Smit-Ortiz, a resident of nearby Ozone Park. The crash took place around 10 p.m. at the intersection of 121st Street and 149th Avenue and involved multiple vehicles, including a driver who fled the scene.
Officers from the NYPD’s 106th Precinct responded to a 911 call reporting a collision. Upon arrival, they found Smit-Ortiz lying in the roadway with severe injuries. Emergency medical teams rushed him to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, but despite their efforts, he was later pronounced dead. The crash quickly became the focus of a full investigation by the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad.
According to police, Smit-Ortiz had been riding a 2015 Honda PCX150 moped westbound in the eastbound lane when he was struck by an unknown vehicle. The impact was strong enough to push the moped into a parked and unoccupied 2015 Ford Transit van. The initial vehicle that hit him did not stop and fled the scene, leaving behind a trail of damage and heartbreak.
The loss of Antonio Smit-Ortiz has left his family and community devastated. He lived just a couple of miles from where the crash occurred, and neighbors described him as a friendly and hardworking young man. His sudden death has sparked sorrow and concern across South Ozone Park and surrounding neighborhoods.
As of now, no arrests have been made. The NYPD is actively reviewing area surveillance footage and asking the public for help. Anyone with information about the crash or the vehicle involved is urged to contact the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). Spanish-speaking residents can call 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org or via the @NYPDTips account on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Authorities are reminding drivers of the serious consequences of fleeing the scene of a crash. As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a young life and hopes justice will soon be served for Antonio Smit-Ortiz and his grieving loved ones.
