Driver Accused in Fatal Ridgewood Hit-and-Run After Years Abroad
A driver in an eastbound BMW SUV killed 74-year-old pedestrian Be Tran on Myrtle Avenue at about 7:40 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2022, and police later accused Florin Stoian of fleeing after the crash and the country before his 2026 return to Queens on manslaughter and other charges.
What We Know
On Aug. 14, 2022, at about 7:40 p.m., a driver in an eastbound BMW SUV hit Be Tran, 74, on Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood as Tran crossed away from an intersection. The city crash record lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor and records Tran as the only person killed or injured. Press reports later identified Tran as a food delivery worker making his final delivery of the night. Police and prosecutors accused Florin Stoian of speeding away, leaving the country, and returning to Queens in 2026 to face charges including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene, reckless driving, arson and evidence tampering. Stoian told ABC7, "This was an accident," while his lawyer told the Post that he was innocent.
A delivery worker was crossing Myrtle Avenue
The crash happened at about 7:40 p.m. on Aug. 14, 2022, on Myrtle Avenue in Ridgewood. City records say a 74-year-old male pedestrian was killed while crossing away from an intersection, and no other injuries were recorded. ABC7 identified him as Be Tran, a DoorDash delivery worker who was making his final delivery of the night.
Speed is the recorded factor
The official crash record lists unsafe speed as the contributing factor. The vehicle entry identifies the involved vehicle as a BMW SUV traveling east and going straight before the crash, and also records driver inattention or distraction in the vehicle record. The Post reported that prosecutors described the vehicle as a rented black BMW X6.
Prosecutors said the driver left the scene
The Post reported that prosecutors accused Florin Stoian of driving away from the crash scene, later setting the rented BMW X6 on fire, and damaging several buildings. Prosecutors charged him with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, arson, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, criminal mischief, reckless driving and tampering with physical evidence.
ABC7 reported that police said Stoian left the United States, was arrested in Germany on theft offenses, served three years in prison there, and was returned to New York in 2026. ABC7 reported that a judge denied bail after his return.
Tran's family asked for accountability
Hong Tran, identified by the Post as Be Tran's brother, said the arrest brought some relief after more than three years. "I want justice for my brother," he told the paper. "You hit someone in an accident, you stop."
Stoian and his lawyer gave different public accounts
ABC7 reported that before arraignment Stoian said, "This was an accident and that's all," and also said, "I did run away." The Post reported that his lawyer told reporters Stoian was innocent and expressed condolences to the family over "a deeply unfortunate situation."
Where
Myrtle Ave