Teen crossing Long Island Expressway in Queens fatally struck by SUV driver

A teenager killed attempting to cross a six-lane highway on foot was coming home from a party in Queens, according to a family friend.

Carlos Criollo, 18, was on his way home from a birthday party when he attempted to ford the Long Island Expressway near 98th St. in Corona around 3:20 a.m. Saturday, where pedestrian traffic is strictly forbidden, cops said.

He was struck by the driver of a 2019 Lexus RX 350 SUV heading east in the right lane, police said.

Medics took Criollo to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens, but he couldn’t be saved.

Criollo had been hanging out with family at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park until 9 p.m. Friday when he left to go to a friend’s birthday party, according to a friend of Criollo’s family.

“He went to his friend’s house. It was his friend’s birthday,” said 46-year-old Louis Mizhquiri.

The teen, who Mizhquiri insisted did not drink at the party, lingered at his friend’s birthday bash until around 2 a.m., when he departed for his Rego Park home on foot.

The area of the expressway where Criollo was struck is within easy walking distance of two pedestrian crossings, including an underpass at Junction Blvd. and a pedestrian bridge at 99th St.

Neither Mizhquiri or Criollo’s family have any idea why he would attempt to cross the dangerous stretch of the Long Island Expressway on foot.

“The police haven’t said nothing,” said the victim’s mother, Gina Criollo. “We don’t know what happened.”

Criollo enjoyed sports and video games, according to the grieving parent, who described her son as a cheerful boy.

“He was a happy child, very respectful, very friendly,” said the grieving mother. “He liked soccer and video games.”

The driver stayed at the scene and was not facing immediate charges.