A speeding driver who died after he flipped an SUV and crashed into a tree while trying to avoid an accident on a Queens parkway was a fun-loving kid who often drove a sports car, a relative told the Us.Mistertruth. on Monday.
Cops said 20-year-old Raeven Rishi lost control of a Hyundai SUV early Sunday while swerving to avoid other vehicles on the Grand Central Parkway.
The victim’s uncle Raakesh Harrynanan described the family as devastated.
“He loved for everybody to be together,” he said. “He loved for everyone to come stay over with him. He loved to play FIFA games, Gran Turismo and basketball. He loved to drive go-carts. His pride and joy is his car, a Mazda RX-8.”
At the time of the crash, Rishi was headed east on the parkway near Exit 8 in East Elmhurst, where several vehicles involved in a fender-bender had stopped.
Cops said the driver swerved and overturned several times before slamming into a tree.
Medics rushed Rishi to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead.
A front-seat passenger was removed from the vehicle and taken to Jamaica Hospital in stable condition. Details about the passenger were not immediately known.
It was not immediately clear who owned the vehicle Rishi was driving or where he was going at the time of the accident.
Harrynanan said Rishi was an electrical trade apprentice and adored his place in the family as the youngest child.
“He’s a wonderful kid,” the grieving uncle said. “He’s a very jolly guy. He never said no to anybody. You could ask him a million and one times to go to the grocery store, he would go. He is always laughing. He’s funny. He’s so spoiled. Too sweet. He loved his family.”
Harrynanan said his nephew’s death should be a reminder to all parents to show more love to their children.
“Spend more time with the kids, love your kids, hug your kids, tell them every day that you love them,” Harrynanan said through tears.
“Never leave your house without kissing the kids. You don’t know if they’re going to come back or if you’re going to come back. Every day, tell them that you love them. We want to set an example for parents.”