This week, authorities have arrested and charged a teenage driver with manslaughter following a tragic accident in Queens last month. The crash, which occurred in September, claimed the life of 30-year-old motorcyclist Luis Mareno.

The young driver, who was only 15 at the time, was behind the wheel of a black 2018 Mitsubishi SUV. According to police reports, the teenager allegedly rear-ended Mareno, who was riding his black 2020 Triumph motorcycle. The incident took place on the westbound Long Island Expressway near Exit 22A by 108th Street in Corona, around 12:45 a.m. on September 26.

The collision’s force caused Mareno to be thrown from his motorcycle. Tragically, while on the ground, he was hit by a 2015 Toyota Sienna driven by a 30-year-old woman, as reported by authorities.

In the chaos, Mareno’s motorcycle careened across three lanes, ultimately crashing into the rear driver’s side of a parked and unoccupied 2017 Infiniti Q50 on the expressway’s northwest shoulder, police stated.

Despite the rapid response, Mareno, who resided in Corona, was found unconscious and unresponsive. Suffering from severe head injuries, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

All of the vehicles – including the teen’s – stayed at the scene and the young motorist wasn’t immediately arrested, cops said. 

But he was ultimately charged Thursday with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault and leaving the scene of an accident following an extensive investigation by the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad and Queens Family Court, cops and sources said.

He is being charged as a juvenile and his identity was not revealed because of his age. 

New Yorkers need to be at least 16 years old to obtain a learner’s permit in the Empire State – and anyone under 16 cannot drive, even with a permit or license issued by another state.