Bay Ridge Road-Rage Death Deemed Homicide, Driver Charged With Murder

Paul Stremple -
Looking north on 3rd Ave from 67th Street, where the vehicle dragging Mardaknayevy came to rest (Screenshot via Google Maps)

BAY RIDGE – Police have ruled the death of Gavriel Mardaknayevy in a road-rage incident last week a homicide.

The driver of the second vehicle, David Cruz, 55, of Bay Ridge, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, said police.

The accident occurred around 9:15 pmon Friday, November 10, when the car driven by Cruz and the car driven by Mardaknayevy’s wife were involved in an accident at 65th Street & 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge.

Mardaknayevy exited his vehicle to confront Cruz, approaching the man’s car from the front, said police. Cruz then accelerated, hitting Mardaknayevy and dragging him for two blocks. Mardaknayevy was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.