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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, October 26, 2023 Page 4
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Residents remember late crossing guard The tragic loss of Krystyna Naprawa brings neighbors together in mourning by Kristen Guglielmo
put their children’s lives in SCG Naprawa’s hands — and every day, Beloved school crossing guard she was there to keep them safe. Krystyna Naprawa, 63, was killed This morning was no different. ... last Friday after being struck by a Please keep her family and loved dump truck while working at the ones in your prayers.” Mayor Adams also released a corner of Woodhaven Boulevard statement on the tragedy, writing and Atlantic Avenue. The truck driver, 39-year-old on X, “Krystyna Naprawa repreHector Yepes, remained on the sented the best of our school crossscene, and after investigation was ing guards and the NYPD. Her arrested for failure to yield and commitment to her job and community did not go unnoticed and it failure to use due care. Members of the community and shows from the outpouring of love. elected officials came together, My prayers are with her family both in person and on social and all those who knew her.” “Crossing guards put their lives media, to lament the loss of Naprawa, who served with the 102nd on the line every day and should be applauded for their bravery and Precinct for almost 13 years. “Our department is in mourn- dedication to service,” said state ing today, as we grieve the loss of Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodone of our own,” NYPD Commis- haven) i n a st at ement. “My sioner Edward Caban wrote on X, thoughts and prayers, and that of formerly Twitter. “... Every school my office team, are with the late day, parents in the 102nd Precinct crossing guard’s traditional family and occupational family.” Assembly woma n Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) said, “... Ms. Naprawa was a beloved member of the community who devoted her life to the safety and education of our children. I am here for her family and offer them any help they need in this time of grief.” She added that she Mayor Adams, center, consoles Krystyna Napra- will investigate the need for any safety upgrades wa’s daughter, Barbara, at Monday’s vigil. PHOTO COURTESY NYC MAYOR’S OFFICE / X at the corner. Associate Editor
The scene last Friday near the corner of Woodhaven Boulevard and Atlantic Avenue, where 63-year-old school crossing guard Krystyna Naprawa, inset, was struck and killed by a dump truck while on duty. PHOTO BY DANIEL COFFARO HILL AND, INSET, FACEBOOK PHOTO
“... Naprawa was a beloved hosted by the Cityline Ozone Park crossing guard and Howard Beach Civilian Patrol. Attendees included many resiresident, who has dutifully been serving with the NYPD since dents who knew Naprawa, as well 2010,” said Councilwoman Joann as Adams, Rajkumar, Addabbo, Ariola (R-Ozone Park) in a state- Ariola, Community Board 9 and 10 Chairs Sherry m e n t o n Fa c e Algredo and Betty book. “Our entire Br aton a nd t he com munity he’s my forever Q u e e n s S o u t h mourns this truly NYPD commandt ragic loss, and angel.” ing officer, Assisshe and her family tant Chief Kevin is certainly in all — Barbara Naprawa Williams. of ou r pr ayer s. Remembered as Re s t i n Pe a c e, Krystyna. Thank you for your someone who thoroughly enjoyed and gave her all to her job, it was years of service to our city.” The community came together said that Naprawa’s final moments for a candlelight vigil on Monday were spent helping children cross evening near the intersection, the street.
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“Krystyna wanted to make sure those babies got across the street in a safe way,” Adams said at the vigil. “This is what they do every day.” A wake was held for Naprawa at James Romanelli-Stephen Funeral Home in Ozone Park on Wednesday afternoon. The funeral was set for Thursday morning at St. Helen Church in Howard Beach. Naprawa’s final resting place will be St. John Cemetery in Middle Village. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara, and son, Tomasz. Barbara, through tears, told reporters at the vigil, “She’s my Q forever angel.”
Sikh man dead following brutal road rage assault by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor
A 66-year-old man died last Friday after a vehicle collision led to a physical altercation in Richmond Hill, police said. On Oct. 19 at approximately 12:02 p.m., officers responded to a crash in front of 87-34 Van Wyck Expwy., police said. Upon further investigation, police said G i lb e r t Au g u s t i n , 30, wa s involved in a physical altercation with Jasmer Singh, 66, after the crash. EMS responded to the location
and transported Singh to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, authorities said, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day. Augustin was charged with manslaughter, assault, aggravated unlicensed operator and leaving the scene of an accident, according to police. In an interview with CBS New York, Singh’s family called for h at e c r i me ch a rges agai n st Augustin. “There was no reason for someone to go in that intensity,” his son told CBS. “My father was
targeted and it is a possible hate crime.” Mayor Eric Adams took to X, formerly Twitter, to address the incident, the second violent instance involving a Sikh man in Rich mond Hill within seven days, writing, “... I want our Sikh community to know you have more than our condolences. You have our sacred vow that we reject the hatred that took this innocent life and we will protect you.” Adams attached a screenshot of photos of Singh to his state-
ment, posted by the account @ webelonghereny on Instagram. Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajk u m a r ( D -Wood haven) also released a statement on the matter. “... In our community, Sikhs, Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Jews live together in harmony, often on the same block. When a crime occurs against any of us, it is a crime against all of us, and we come together in solidarity.” Q
Jasmer Singh, 66, died last Friday after being assaulted following a INSTAGRAM PHOTO car accident.
