‘It just hurts so deeply’
Immig killed in crash leaves devastated family in Mexico
A Mexican immigrant father of two chased the American dream to the streets of Queens, only to die beneath the wheels of a truck.
Food deliveryman Alfredo Cabrera Licona, 35, was killed in a collision with a Bud Light truck Thursday morning, leaving his wife and two children without his love and financial support in Mexico.
After 11 years in the city, the hard-working dad was planning a return to his hometown of Tenango de Doria before the end of the year — possibly for good.
“He was a very good man, he never got into problems with anyone,” said his kid brother Isaias, 30, as he worked Friday to send his brother’s body back home. “He was a very honorable man, hard worker. Whatever he made, he sent back to his wife and two kids.”
Licona was riding his red scooter east on Astoria Blvd. in Astoria around 8:30 a.m. when he slammed into the truck as it turned right onto Crescent St. His family believes he was en route to a delivery.
It took 10 minutes to extricate Licona,
who skidded beneath the big rig and died a short time later at nearby Mount Sinai Queens.
“It just hurts so deeply,” said Isaias. “He inspired me.”
The superintendent in the Astoria building about a mile away from the scene where Licona rented a room recalled him as a devoted dad and all-around good guy.
“Hardworking, didn’t have time for other things,” said super Jose Gonzalez, 53. “Always paid the rent on time. He was a beautiful person, just a respectable man ... It’s a shame he has to leave his two kids.”
Roommate Israel Gonzalez, 23, described Licona as a steady presence in their apartment and a hard worker who rose each morning before sunrise to start his workday. At one point, Licona was working for the C-Town supermarket across the street from his home.
“He was always a good man,” said Gonzalez. “We would make dinner, every once in a while have a beer, but rarely. He wasn’t a problem person.”
According to witnesses, both the scooter and the Bud Light truck were headed in the same direction and both had the light when the driver made a right turn. The driver stayed on the scene and no charges were filed.
The victim’s devastated brother, who drove up from North Carolina after learning about the death, was headed to the hospital to see Alfredo’s body and then to the Mexican consulate to see if they could assist in returning the victim to Mexico for burial.
Isaias said his brother’s family back home was crushed by news of the fatal accident.
“Forget about it, they can’t even process it,” he said. “They never expected this.”