The young woman killed when a car doing donuts in a Brooklyn shopping plaza parking lot slammed into her as she was looking on was the driver’s girlfriend, officials said Tuesday.
Madisyn Ruiz’ already tragic death was compounded by the stunning revelation that her boyfriend, Zachary Cando, 24, was the accused reckless driver behind the wheel.
“It was just a freak accident,” said a grieving relative of the victim. “Nothing intentional. I know that he loved her. He loved her dearly. He’d do anything for her, and she would do the same for him.”
Cops said Ruiz, 21, was sitting alongside a curb at the parking lot of the Dave & Busters arcade in Gateway Center on July 13 around 12:30 a.m. near Erskine St. and Gateway Drive in East New York when Cando, 24, driving a 2023 Genesis G80, veered and struck her.
Sheetal Banchariya / New York Daily News
Madisyn Ruiz, 22, was struck and killed by a car in the Gateway Center parking lot in Brooklyn on Sunday night. (Sheetal Banchariya / New York Daily News)
In a statement following the incident, Cando told police he “lost control” when he was “doing donuts” with the vehicle, according to court documents.
EMS transported Ruiz to Brookdale Medical Center, where she died of her injuries.
Cando stayed at the scene, and was arrested hours later, charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment and reckless driving for spinning the car in circles at the parking lot.
Days later, circular tire tracks were still visible in the parking lot.
After his arraignment Sunday night at Brooklyn Criminal Court, Cando was released on $10,000 bond.
Sheetal Banchariya / New York Daily News
Madisyn Ruiz, 22, was struck and killed by a car in the Gateway Center parking lot in Brooklyn on Sunday night. (Sheetal Banchariya / New York Daily News)
A relative of Cando, when reached by phone, declined to comment.
She said his family was devastated.
“She was an amazing soul, that’s for sure,” the relative said. “Such a sweet girl. Doing the right thing.”
A friend said Ruiz had just graduated from LaGuardia Community College.
“Maddy was a really sweet, kind person,” he said. “She was never selfish. She always put others before her. She was really sweet. She just graduated college. She had big plans. I know she wanted to go into the medical field. It’s really sad.”
The friend said they had worked together at Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, an after-school program.
He said Ruiz and her boyfriend were very close.
“They were both really in love with each other,” he said. “It’s just a lot. I can’t even put it into words.”
The friend said he saw her on Friday:
“We were laughing and joking. I gave her a hug,” he said. “I can’t ever see her again and it’s just crazy.”
“Her presence brought comfort, joy, and laughter to everyone around her,” another relative said in a GoFundMe post. “A beautiful daughter, sister, cousin, friend, and a shining light whose loss is deeply, and brutally felt.”
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