Mom 'tried everything' to stop daughter from subway surfing before her death
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) -- For the second time in a week, a family has been devastated after losing a child to subway surfing.
Krystel Romero’s mother and stepfather invited PIX11 News to see the 13-year-old’s empty bedroom. Her mother struggled to find the words after losing her only daughter this week.
Maria Romero said she tried everything to stop her daughter after finding videos of the teen riding on top of subway cars. She implored other kids: “Listen to your parents. This is not a game.”
Romero and her 12-year-old friend were subway surfing Sunday night when they slipped and were run over by the 7 train. Her cousin Judith Menendez, who was more like a sister, said she decided to stay home.
“I’ve done it before with them,” the 8th grader admitted.
“Why didn’t you do it that night?” PIX11 Reporter Anthony DiLorenzo asked, “I didn’t want to go out,” Menendez replied.
The 13-year-old admitted she too had done the death-defying stunts, but this experience has changed her.
“Why do kids do it?” DiLorenzo asked.
“I don’t know, to be honest. They think it’s a fun thing to do in life.” When asked if she thought it was fun now, she said, “No, it’s really stupid.”
Six people have died this year from subway surfing, including 13-year-old Aldolfo Sanabria last week. The MTA’s numerous PA warnings alone haven’t been enough.
“There is a role DOE can play with principals sending this message strongly,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.
MTA CEO Janno Lieber said the agency reached out to social media companies, asking them to take down dangerous videos of subway surfing. “We went to all social media companies saying, ‘Take down those videos,’ and they have been mostly compliant,” Lieber said.
The NYPD has increased enforcement and arrests by 53%, but the Romero family says their pain should send the loudest message.
“See the suffering of a mom,” said step-father Ever Romero. “You’re not going to get hurt; you’re going to die. Look at the pain.”
Judith expressed her grief over her cousin. “I’ll miss her laughs, her hugs, the way she used to talk to me,” she said. “I miss her so much.”
Their 12-year-old friend remains on a ventilator at a Queens hospital, where she is not expected to survive according to officials.