You are reading

73-Year-Old Astoria Woman Arrested on Misdemeanor Charges for Fatally Crashing Into Local Mom

Karina Larino, pictured, was fatally struck by a vehicle driven by Panagiota Arvanitopoulos, 73, on 21st Street on Friday, May 16. Arvanitopoulos was arrested for the crash Wednesday (TWUlocal100/Google Maps)

June 9, 2022 By Christian Murray

A 73-year-old Astoria woman was arrested on misdemeanor charges Wednesday for driving her car into a local mom near Astoria Park last month and killing her.

Panagiota Arvanitopoulos, of 27th Street, was arrested on charges of “failure to yield the right of way” and “failure to exercise due care” for fatally hitting a 38-year-old woman who was crossing 21st Street. Both charges are misdemeanors.

The incident took place at around 10:12 p.m. on Friday, May 6 when Arvanitopoulos was driving her 2005 Honda Element along Astoria Park South and then struck her victim, Karina Larino, while attempting to turn onto 21st Street.

She hit Larino, who lived on 21st Street, outside the marked crosswalk, according to police. Arvanitopoulos remained on the scene and was uninjured.

Cops responded to a 911 call and found Larino lying on the roadway with trauma to her head and body. She was taken to NYC Health and Hospitals/Elmhurst, where she was pronounced deceased.

Larino had worked for the MTA for 15 years and had a 20-year-old daughter.

Her death came less than 24 hours after another pedestrian was left in a critical condition having been struck on 31st Avenue. The victim, a 33-year-old man, was hit while crossing at the intersection of 31st Avenue and 33rd Street.

Larino’s death also came about a week after an 89-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries after being struck by a motorist while crossing 48th Street near Northern Boulevard in late April.

Councilmember Tiffany Cabán, who represents the Astoria district, commented on the deaths at the time, noting that more needs to be done to improve road safety and called for urgent improvements to be made.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.

A hidden gem in Sunnyside: Bistro Punta Sal blends Peruvian and Italian flavors

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

On a quiet street in Sunnyside, Bistro Punta Sal has its French doors wide open, letting the late August breeze emanate throughout the space, which is ornate with flowers, paintings and an array of tables and chairs for intimate dinners with friends or a romantic date night. The cozy restaurant, located at 45-51 46th St., is a hidden gem in the neighborhood that is just waiting to be discovered, as the sights and aromas of the restaurant invite guests in. 

Off-duty paramedic spots South Richmond Hill two-alarm house fire that injures nine firefighters, two civilians on Friday morning: FDNY

Nine firefighters were injured, two of them seriously, and two civilians sustained minor injuries during a two-alarm house fire in South Richmond Hill on Friday morning, but it could have been worse if not for the actions of an off-duty veteran EMT.

Paramedic Craig Biscuiti was driving to work when he noticed a column of thick black smoke and heavy flames coming from the first floor of a two-story home at 95-36 111th St. just before 7:10 a.m.

Astoria doctor sentenced to more than two decades in prison for rape and sexual abuse: DA

An Astoria doctor was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Thursday in Queens Supreme Court for raping unconscious acquaintances and sexually abusing hospital patients.

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, 35, of Broadway, pleaded guilty on June 30 to four counts of rape in the first degree and three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree in satisfaction of the consolidated indictments against him. He additionally entered an Alford plea to one count of sexual abuse. The defendant — a former gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital — recorded the abuse of his unconscious victims with his cell phone in both his Astoria apartment and at the hospital.