Queens car crash victim's husband cites suspect's hate crime charges

The husband of a journalist killed in a May car crash in Queens, New York, is calling for further investigation into the suspect's background following recent hate crime charges. Cara Trager, 71, died from head trauma after a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Dawood Faisal crashed into cars and struck her and her husband in a crosswalk. Prosecutors allege Faisal was traveling over 75 mph in a 35-mph zone and ran two red lights before the collision.

Faisal has been indicted on charges including second-degree manslaughter, assault, and reckless driving, to which he pleaded not guilty. While he has not been charged with a hate crime regarding the fatal crash, the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force arrested him on July 31 for alleged antisemitic vandalism at Bagels & Co., a Jewish-owned shop in the same area. The vandalism reportedly involved criminal mischief against the shop, which displayed Israeli flags and banners. Michael Trager has expressed concern that the fatal incident might have been prevented had the suspect's prior alleged actions been addressed.