BROOKLYN, NY – A Staten Island man has been indicted on murder charges after prosecutors say he drove drunk through a red light in Sunset Park, struck two men in a crosswalk, and fled the scene without stopping.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez announced Friday that 23-year-old Juventino Anastacio Florentino has been charged with murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and other offenses in connection with the July 11 crash that killed 80-year-old Kexun Chen and 59-year-old Faqiu Lin.
According to investigators, Florentino was driving southbound on Third Avenue around 4:22 a.m. when he allegedly sped through a steady red light at 52nd Street, slamming into Chen and Lin as they crossed with the right of way. Both victims died at the scene.
Prosecutors said Florentino kept driving and returned to his Staten Island home. Police later identified his BMW using surveillance footage, license plate reader technology, and vehicle parts recovered from the crash site. When officers found him, his car showed damage consistent with hitting pedestrians, and Florentino displayed signs of intoxication.
Testing revealed his blood alcohol content was between .13 and .19 at the time of the crash — nearly twice the legal limit. Even eight hours later, Florentino reportedly blew a .04 and admitted to drinking earlier that night.
He was arraigned before Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Dineen Riviezzo, who set bail at $300,000 bond or $100,000 cash. Florentino is due back in court November 14.
District Attorney Gonzalez said, “This defendant allegedly chose to drive drunk and speed through a red light, and two innocent men lost their lives while simply crossing the street. We will fight for justice on their behalf.”
Key Points
- Juventino Anastacio Florentino, 23, indicted on murder charges in Sunset Park hit-and-run crash.
- Victims, 80-year-old Kexun Chen and 59-year-old Faqiu Lin, were crossing in a crosswalk when struck.
- Prosecutors say Florentino was intoxicated with a BAC up to .19 and fled the scene.
A late-night drive through Brooklyn ended in tragedy and a murder indictment.
