Meng Assists Families of Teens Killed in Queens LIE Crash

March 12, 2014

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) announced today that she is working to secure visas for family members of the two teenagers killed last month in a car crash on the Long Island Expressway (LIE) in Queens.

19-year-old driver, Jiahao Liang, and his 16-year-old passenger, Jennifer Gao, died at the scene on February 18th after the Audi they were traveling in slammed into a tree on the side of the expressway between exits 25 and 24 (Utopia Parkway and Kissena Boulevard).

Meng is attempting to obtain visas for Liang’s mother and sister and Gao’s grandmother and aunt. All are seeking to travel to New York from China. Meng contacted the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China and arranged for them to be interviewed for visas on Tuesday, March 11th. If they’re approved, they would soon fly to Queens. Liang’s father and Gao’s mother are already here.

Although funerals for Liang and Gao were held almost two weeks ago and their remains were cremated, their loved ones still want to come to the borough to be with relatives, and possibly bring the teens’ ashes to China.

“The death of these two teenagers is a terrible and horrible tragedy, and our hearts go out to their family and friends,” said Meng. “We will assist them with whatever needs they may have during this difficult time.”

Both teens resided in Meng’s district; Gao in Oakland Gardens and Liang in Flushing, according to their death certificates.

The Congresswoman intervened with the American Consulate in China after a friend of both families asked her office to help with the visa applications.