Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Dawood Faisal has been indicted and arraigned in Supreme Court on charges of manslaughter, assault and other crimes for the three-car collision that killed a woman and injured her husband while the defendant was speeding on Francis Lewis Boulevard last month.

DA Katz said: “Traffic laws exist to protect every motorist, pedestrian and bicyclist who travels on our shared roadways. As alleged, the defendant chose to flout those laws by speeding, running at least two red lights and slamming into two vehicles, causing a three-car crash that struck two pedestrians in the crosswalk. He then audaciously tried to flee the scene before good Samaritans stopped and detained him. Tragically, the defendant’s alleged disregard for the safety of others resulted in the death of one of the pedestrians, 71-year-old Cara Trager — a beloved wife and mother and valued member of her community. A grand jury has now indicted the defendant for manslaughter, and we will seek justice on behalf of Mrs. Trager and her loved ones.”

Faisal, 22, of Fresh Meadows, was arraigned today on a 10-count indictment charging him with manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, assault in the third degree, two counts of leaving the scene without reporting, reckless driving, menacing in the second degree, failing to stop at a steady red signal, driving in excess of the maximum speed limit and operating a vehicle at unreasonable speed. Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Hartofilis ordered the defendant to return to court July 16. If convicted, the defendant faces more than fifteen years in prison.

DA Katz said that, according to the charges, at approximately 7:48 p.m. on May 25, the defendant was driving a 2013 Toyota Prius recklessly on Francis Lewis Boulevard when he accelerated to a high rate of speed heading southbound. The posted speed limit is 35 mph and the defendant was driving in excess of 75 mph.

Faisal allegedly ignored two red-light traffic signals and entered the intersection of Union Turnpike striking a 2026 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. That vehicle was traveling westbound on Union Turnpike with a steady green light and had the right of way. The defendant continued through the intersection and struck the rear driver’s side of a 2023 Nissan Rogue, propelling the Rogue into the crosswalk where it hit the two pedestrians.

The victims – a married couple – were immediately transported to a local Queens hospital. Cara Trager, 71, sustained severe head trauma and subsequently succumbed to her injuries. Her husband suffered a shoulder injury, lacerations to his hands, and bruising to his face.

Immediately after the collision the defendant exited his vehicle and fled on foot on Francis Lewis Boulevard. Good Samaritans who observed the collision chased after the defendant and ultimately detained him until police arrived.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Kevin Livingston of the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad.

Assistant District Attorney Vivian Gonzalez of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorneys Aliyah Quintyne and Angel Semerdzhiev under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Jonathan Selkowe, Unit Chief of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Homicide Unit and Deputy Bureau Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and John Kosinski, Bureau Chief of the Homicide Bureau, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.