FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.couriersun.com APRIL 10, 2014 • THE COURIER SUN 11 Loved ones remember four killed in Steinway Creek plunge BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected]/@aaltamirano28 The four young passengers who died when their car plunged into an Astoria creek after a birthday celebration were always smiling and looking toward the future, their friends and families recalled. Jada Monique Butts, 19, was a loving person who enjoyed laughing, smiling and having fun, said Tiani Martin, her best friend of more than 10 years. One of fi ve children, the Borough of Manhattan Community College student wanted to one day work behind the scenes in the music industry. “She was a beautiful spirit and loved to stay positive,” Martin said. “We did everything together and she will live on.” Butts was one of four East Elmhurst friends who died on April 4 when their Honda Accord rolled over into Steinway Creek in Astoria. “She was my little right-hand woman,” said Paula Slader, Butts’ mother. Another passenger was 20-year-old Jaleel Feurtado, who dreamed of playing professional basketball after shining bright on the Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School basketball team, remembered his family. Feurtado was an only chid and was the eldest of the family’s grandchildren. “He was a good kid,” said one of his relatives, who wanted to remain unnamed. “He was the apple of our eyes, everyone just loved him.” Darius Fletcher, 21, and Crystal Gravely, 19, also lost their lives in the accident. Gravely would have celebrated her 20th birthday the following day. The driver, 20-year-old Andrew Gramm, was traveling at 60 mph when he decided to make a U-turn on the wet road, according to reports. Once the vehicle went into the water, reportedly 8 feet deep, Gramm managed to escape the vehicle and call for help, cops said, but his four friends were still inside the car when authorities arrived. FDNY divers then extracted Fletcher, Butts, Gravely and Feurtado, according to police. The women and one of the men were taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center where they were pronounced dead, offi cials said. The second man was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he was also pronounced deceased. Gramm was taken to Elmhurst Hospital Center, police said. He was given a preliminary breath test where results showed he was sober during the time of the accident, police said. The NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is still looking into the accident. State Sen. Michael Gianaris called on the Department of Transportation (DOT) to conduct a review of safety measures on the various roads, including 19th Avenue, which lead to the water. According to the senator, reports of the crash have created questions about the chain-link fence that is supposed to serve as a barrier between the street and the creek. He also said there is insuffi cient signage to indicate that the street becomes a dead end. A DOT spokesman said last October the agency had installed an “END” sign where 19th Avenue terminates and two highly visible “Dead End” signs at the intersection, which were in place at the time of the accident. Following the fatal accident, the DOT also secured the area with Jersey barriers and barrels and replaced the “END” sign. The spokesman said the agency will be looking into the report that a section of the guardrail was missing, even though a preliminary review does not point to any recent reports on the missing section. The DOT said it will also review conditions at streets ending near water. Photos via Facebook From top left, clockwise: Loved ones remember East Elmhurst residents Crystal Gravely, Jada Monique Butts, Darius Fletcher and Jaleel Feurtado, who were killed when their vehicle plunged into Steinway Creek. THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS/ Photo by Debbie Egan-Chin Spring is blooming with great rates. 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