South Ozone Park, Queens, September 23, 2025
News Summary
A construction flagger directing traffic in a marked safety zone on the Nassau Expressway was struck and killed when a vehicle entered the work area at high speed. First responders pronounced the worker dead at the scene; the driver initially fled but was located about a mile away, arrested and charged with homicide-related counts and leaving the scene. Officials say the victim wore required protective gear and stress the importance of slowing down and obeying work zone controls. The report also covers a lender expanding non-recourse construction loans and Central New York roadwork and detour updates.
Construction worker killed in Queens; new private construction lending program announced; Central New York road projects set to slow traffic
Isabel Alvarez, a 44‑year‑old construction flagger from the Bronx, was killed on the morning of Sept. 19, 2025, while directing traffic at a roadside work zone in South Ozone Park, Queens. A 25‑year‑old driver was arrested and charged in connection with the collision. The arrest and the large number of major road projects across Central New York that begin or continue the week of Sept. 22 add urgency to calls for safer work zones and slower driving in construction areas.
What happened in Queens
<p The fatal collision occurred at about 7:25–7:30 a.m. on the Nassau Expressway near the Van Wyck Expressway, close to the airport. Alvarez was standing in a safety zone between an exit ramp and eastbound lanes while covering a coworker’s shift. She was wearing required safety equipment and holding a stop/slow sign. The driver, identified by police, allegedly drove at a high rate of speed, entered a closed lane marked by traffic drums and struck the drums before hitting the flagger. Alvarez was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver initially left the scene and was found about a mile away a short time later. He was taken to a hospital in stable condition and later placed in custody. Court filings describe severe front‑end damage to the vehicle and blood inside the cabin. The criminal complaint reports the driver told police he was speeding in a 25 mph zone and described losing control after hitting a traffic drum. Prosecutors say the driver’s license had been suspended multiple times. Charges announced by the district attorney’s office include second‑degree manslaughter, assault, leaving the scene of a fatality, reckless driving and aggravated unlicensed operation. The defendant was arraigned and held on bond, with a return date set in late September.
State officials and prosecutors said the ramp was an active work zone marked with drums and signs. The state transportation commissioner issued a public statement urging the traveling public to slow down, move over and pay attention in work zones and offered condolences to the worker’s family and coworkers. Alvarez was a member of a local excavators union, had about 15 years of construction experience, and lived in the Longwood section of the Bronx.
New private construction lending program
On Sept. 23, 2025, a full‑service real estate finance company announced an expansion of its construction lending program to offer non‑recourse construction loans ranging from $25 million to $250 million. The program covers multifamily, industrial, self‑storage and retail projects immediately, with office and hospitality included under different terms. The firm said experienced owners and investors can access these loans in the nation’s top 200 metropolitan areas.
Loan‑to‑cost limits are sized to asset type: up to 85% of cost for multifamily, industrial and self‑storage projects, and up to 65% of cost for office, retail and hospitality deals. Construction interest rates were announced to start at 30‑day LIBOR + 2.50%. The lender also highlighted its ability to combine non‑recourse construction loans with bridge and permanent financing. Its permanent program was described as originating loans at rates starting at 10‑year U.S. Treasury + 150 basis points, with loans up to 75% of value.
The firm focuses on high‑leverage senior and subordinate debt and preferred equity, and said its investments typically start at $10 million on income‑producing anchored retail, office, industrial, multifamily, manufactured housing communities and self‑storage across the U.S. A spokesperson cited growing demand for private non‑recourse construction loans as traditional banks remain cautious amid uncertain economic conditions or are overexposed to some property types. The announcement noted recent pressure on the central bank to lower rates and referenced a recent 25 basis‑point cut, while adding that the 10‑year Treasury rate has not fallen as much as the real estate industry hoped. The release was distributed through standard press channels and listed the firm’s website for more information.
Central New York roadwork and traffic impacts beginning Sept. 22
The New York State Department of Transportation published a weekly update for projects affecting Oneida, Madison, Herkimer, Fulton, Hamilton and Montgomery counties, warning drivers that orange cones and detour signs would be widespread over the course of the last week of August and advising motorists to watch for lane closures and full road shutdowns starting Sept. 22, 2025. The update includes specific detours, lane shifts and closures across many towns and state routes.
Key Central New York items include an I‑90 bridge rehabilitation over North Genesee Street in Utica that forces a southbound detour through Genesee and Riverside drives; lane closures and flaggers in Boonville for striping and finishing items at Route 12/12D; long‑term lane shifts in Clinton for curb, sidewalk and drainage work; culvert replacement and lane shifts on Middle Settlement Road in New Hartford; utility and paving work in Whitestown, Whitesboro, Verona and Rome; and multiple bridge, culvert and sewer projects producing lane closures or full closures in Herkimer, Ilion, Dolgeville, Frankfort and surrounding towns.
The update also lists continuous lane closures on Route 28 at Raquette Lake in Long Lake and paving and guiderail work on Route 30, as well as culvert and bridge tasks in Adams, Arietta, Glen and other locations. The DOT advised drivers to bookmark 511NY.org for live updates and maps showing detours and lane closures.
Why this matters
The fatal crash in Queens underscores the risks that highway workers face and adds urgency to public safety messages. At the same time, private construction lending programs that offer high‑leverage non‑recourse loans can speed project starts but also shape who can build in the near term. Widespread roadwork across Central New York will affect travel for commuters and commercial traffic, making clear traffic planning and work‑zone protections important for both workers and drivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was the worker killed in Queens?
A: The worker was a 44‑year‑old flagger from the Bronx who was directing traffic at a state work zone when she was struck and killed.
Q: What charges were announced in the Queens collision?
A: The driver was charged with a range of crimes including manslaughter, assault, leaving the scene of a fatality, reckless driving and aggravated unlicensed operation. He was arraigned and held on bond.
Q: What are the main features of the new construction lending program?
A: The program offers non‑recourse construction loans of $25 million to $250 million, covers multifamily, industrial, self‑storage and retail (with office and hospitality under separate terms), and targets the top 200 metropolitan areas. Loan‑to‑cost limits vary by asset type and rates start at 30‑day LIBOR + 2.50% for construction lending.
Q: Where can drivers find live updates on Central New York roadwork?
A: The state DOT recommends bookmarking 511NY.org for live project updates, detour maps and travel information.
Q: How can construction workers and drivers stay safer in work zones?
A: Drivers should slow down, obey signs and lanes, move over when safe, and avoid distractions. Employers and project managers should maintain clear work‑zone markings, provide safety gear, and use proper traffic control measures.
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Key features at a glance
| Topic | Key details |
|---|---|
| Queens fatal crash | Flagger killed Sept. 19; active work zone; driver arrested and charged; victim 44; arraigned and held on bond. |
| Non‑recourse construction lending | $25M–$250M loans; covers multifamily, industrial, self‑storage, retail; later office/hospitality; LTC up to 85%/65%; rates from 30‑day LIBOR + 2.50%; permanent loans from 10‑yr Treasury +150 bps up to 75% LTV. |
| Central NY roadwork | Projects across Oneida, Madison, Herkimer, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery counties; lane closures, detours, full closures; drivers urged to check 511NY.org. |
| Safety guidance | Slow down, obey signs, move over, use caution in marked work zones; employers should maintain clear control measures and PPE. |
Sources: company press announcement distributed Sept. 23, 2025; state transportation weekly update dated for the week of Sept. 22, 2025; police and prosecutor filings related to the Sept. 19, 2025 collision in Queens. Company website: www.trinitystreetcp.com. For live road conditions: 511NY.org.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- ABC7NY: Driver charged in Queens work-zone killing
- Wikipedia: Nassau Expressway
- amNewYork: Hit-and-run driver arraigned in Queens
- Google Search: Queens work zone hit-and-run 2025
- Construction Equipment: Video — New York construction worker killed in hit-and-run
- Google Scholar: work zone flagger struck / work zone safety
- CNY News: Central New York construction — September W4
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New York State Department of Transportation
- Newsday: NY scaffold law & affordability (editorial)
- Google News: NY scaffold law affordability construction
Author: Construction NY News
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructionnynews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the New York Build Expo, infrastructure breakthroughs, and cutting-edge construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated General Contractors of New York State and the Building Trades Employers' Association, plus leading businesses in construction and real estate that power the local economy such as Turner Construction Company and CMiC Global. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructiontxnews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
