Community Corner
Family Mourns 'Loving Father' Who Died In Queens Turnstile Mishap
Chris De La Cruz died after jumping over a Forest Hills train turnstile. Now his family is raising funds for his funeral and 4-year-old son.
FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — The family of Christopher De La Cruz, a 28-year-old who died after a turnstile jumping mishap last weekend, is mourning the loss of a man who they describe as a "loving" brother, son, and father.
"Chris was a vibrant, loving, free spirited character. He was the kindest soul," writes De La Cruz's brother, Brian, on a GoFundMe page, where the family is raising fund to pay for De La Cruz's memorial service.
As of Friday, the fund has raised just under $21,000 out of its $30,000 goal; donations that are not spent on funeral expenses will go towards a fund for De La Cruz's beloved 4-year-old son, Neithyn, the page reads.
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"If there was one thing in this world that my brother wanted to be remembered for, it was his love for his son," writes De La Cruz's brother on the GoFundMe page. "Anyone who has ever spoken to Chris, for even a brief moment has probably seen my nephews face or heard about the love my brother had for him."
The family will also be setting up a college fund on behalf of Neithyn, the page reads.
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De La Cruz's death is described as a "sudden" shock to his family.
On the early morning of Jan. 2nd, the 28-year-old entered the Forest Hills-71st Avenue train station and tried to jump over the turnstile. After several failed attempts he partially hoisted himself over before losing his balance and crashing into the concrete floor head-first, according to a video and the NYPD.
Security footage of the incident has circulated across several media outlets, but the De La Cruz family is working hard to remove the videos "at his mother's request," according to the GoFundMe.
According to statements from the NYPD, reported by the NY Daily News, De La Cruz had been drinking before trying to jump over the turnstile.
An autopsy by the city Medical Examiner determined that his death was caused by blunt impact injury to the head and neck, the outlet reported.
Related Article: Turnstile Jumper Killed In Forest Hills Subway Mishap: NYPD
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