July 13, 2025 SUNSET PARK, Brooklyn, NY – A somber cloud hangs over Sunset Park after a horrific hit-and-run claimed the lives of two elderly men early Friday morning. The alleged driver, 23-year-old Juventino Anastacio Florentino, faced a judge Saturday, charged in connection with the tragic incident that has left a community reeling.

The Fatal Collision: A Community in Shock

The quiet of dawn was shattered around 4:30 a.m. on Friday at the intersection of Third Avenue and 52nd Street. Police arriving on the scene found 59-year-old Faqiu Lin and 80-year-old Kex Un Chen in the roadway. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene, victims of a collision so sudden, they reportedly had no time to react.

Surveillance footage, now crucial evidence, captured a BMW sedan speeding southbound on Third Avenue. The vehicle appeared to show no signs of braking before striking Lin and Chen, then fleeing the scene. One victim was seen with a grocery cart, the other using a cane, painting a heartbreaking picture of their vulnerable final moments.

Suspect Apprehended: Charges Mount

Thanks to swift police work, including the recovery of vehicle debris at the scene and analysis of surveillance video, Florentino was tracked to his Staten Island home later that Friday morning. He now faces a litany of serious charges, including manslaughter recklessly causing death, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, reckless driving, and reckless endangerment. Authorities have noted that Florentino had no prior arrest history.

A Community's Grief: "Simply Trying to Access Food"

The impact of this tragedy extends far beyond the immediate families. Both victims are believed to have lived close to the accident site, with Kex Un Chen residing just a couple of blocks away. His heartbroken son understandably declined to comment.

Adding another layer of sorrow, City Harvest, a prominent food pantry, issued a statement expressing their profound sadness. "We are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of two individuals in Sunset Park this morning. Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones. We understand they may have been on their way to our Mobile Market simply trying to access food like so many New Yorkers in need."

Indeed, security video from Friday morning showed the familiar sight of a line stretching for blocks outside the food pantry, a testament to the community's reliance on such services. Local resident Mike Gonzalez echoed this sentiment, telling reporters, "I pass through here almost every morning... I see them all lined up and on the other side of the street too. The line is really long. So, they get there early so they can get their stuff early."

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of reckless driving and the fragility of life for those simply trying to navigate their daily routines. The Sunset Park community now grapples with immense grief, seeking justice for Faqiu Lin and Kex Un Chen, and urging for greater road safety.