On October 17, 2023, an 18-year-old woman fell onto the subway tracks in New York City at the Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue 74th Street subway station in Queens around 6:40 a.m. She was subsequently hit by a Manhattan-bound train and did not survive the incident.
Jessica Marleny Ajtzac Guarcas, originally from Guatemala, had been living in the United States for two years and was employed in a Queens-based restaurant. CCTV footage from the station showed her standing calmly with her hands inside her pockets, moments before she collapsed and accidentally fell onto the tracks.
Indications from the surveillance video and eyewitness accounts suggest that Guarcas likely had a medical episode which may have led to her tragic fall. Her family acknowledged a known medical condition but has not elaborated on its nature. They did reveal that she had been experiencing some health issues recently, but nothing that would anticipate this occurrence.
Upon witnessing the fall, the train operator acted swiftly and pulled the emergency brakes. Unfortunately, the train couldn’t stop in time. After a thorough review of the incident, officials have ruled out any criminal intentions or wrongdoing.
Initial reports mistakenly identified Guarcas as a ten-year-old, which was later rectified by transit authorities confirming her age as 18.
The accident led to temporary service disruptions, but the Metropolitan Transportation Authority later reported the resumption of regular services. As the investigation continues into what might have caused her medical condition, the community and Guarcas’s family are coming to terms with their loss.
The New York City Transit President has shared condolences, underscoring the significance of passenger safety.
