A father of two was struck and killed by a driver while riding his bicycle in Queens on his 37th birthday.
Alex Martinez was cycling on Queens Boulevard toward Long Island City Tuesday when he was hit by a vehicle near Hoover Avenue in Kew Gardens, police said. The driver sped away, leaving Martinez in the middle of the road.
"What kind of person hits someone, just leaves him on the road to die and not even bother to call 911 or try to help?" asked the victim's father, Walter Martinez.
Martinez, a union electrician who lives in Florida, was staying at his parents' home in Jamaica while he worked a job in Long Island City.
Friends gathered at his childhood home in Jamaica Tuesday night to mourn him and console his family.
"Alex was an incredible person. He was an awesome dad, a brother a father and son," said brother George Martinez. "He did everything for his kids. It's just a sad, sad loss for the Martinez family today."
Martinez's family hopes witnesses will come forward to share information with police. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 800-577-TIPS.
