The man who fatally broke his neck jumping a subway turnstile in Queens is remembered as the “living and loving” father of a 4-year-old boy.
Christopher De La Cruz, 28, was pronounced dead after the incident on Sunday morning at Forest Hills-71st Avenue train station in Queens.
The sickening surveillance footage shows him trying to jump over a turnstile after entering the subway station, falling and stumbling first before losing his balance and crashing into his head.
“Chris was a dynamic, loving and free-spirited character. He was a son, a father, a friend and my brother, ”wrote Brian De La Cruz in a GoFundMe page created for the funeral expenses of the grieving family.
“Following his death, I was reminded why I was so lucky to be his brother. He was the nicest soul. He was loved by so many people and made an impact on everyone he met, ”Brian continued.
The GoFund me page, which raised over $ 16,000 of its $ 30,000 goal Thursday morning, included a photo of a smiling Christopher with his beaming son sitting on his shoulders.
Another image shows the father and son on a merry-go-round.
“If there was one thing in this world that my brother wanted to be remembered, it was his love for his son. Chris is survived by a 4 year old, Neithyn, who represented the world to him, ”his brother wrote.
“Anyone who’s ever spoken to Chris, even for a brief moment, has probably seen my nephews’ faces or heard of my brother’s love for him,” Brian continued.
“We can never (replace) him, but in honor of my brother we wanted the rest of the donations – after funeral expenses – to go to his son. We are going to set up a university fund in his name, ”he added.
The fundraiser also includes a statement from a woman named Daisy.
“Christophe, the light you made shine was beyond this world; your contagious laugh, all your aura radiated love to the heart. The purest of souls, because you would share whatever you had, even like dividing the last slice in half, ”she wrote.
“Your son will always know your name, your love and all the love you have ever given him and will continue to give him beyond this dimension. I love you, ”Daisy added.
It was not clear if Daisy was the boy’s mother.
Police said De La Cruz was pronounced dead at the scene after “trying to escape the tariff”.
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