Husband of Jewish NYC Crash Victim Raises Questions Over Suspect’s Alleged Antisemitic Past
- HoNgan
- August 14, 2026
The husband of a Jewish New York City woman who was fatally struck in a horrific Queens crash is raising questions about the alleged antisemitic conduct of the man accused of causing the collision.
Michael Trager’s wife, Cara Trager, 71, was killed after a speeding vehicle crashed into two cars and sent one of them into a crosswalk, where it struck the couple on May 25.
The driver, Dawood Faisal, 22, has been accused of driving at more than 75 mph in a 35-mph zone and running two red lights before the crash, according to prosecutors.

Faisal allegedly fled the scene on foot following the collision before bystanders detained him until police arrived.
Cara suffered severe head injuries and died four days later.
Her husband sustained a shoulder injury, cuts to his hands and bruising to his face.
Faisal was later indicted by a Queens grand jury on charges including second-degree manslaughter, assault, leaving the scene of a crash and reckless driving. He has pleaded not guilty.

But the Trager family became increasingly concerned after Faisal was arrested separately by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force on July 31.
Authorities accused him of vandalizing Bagels & Co., a Jewish-owned kosher business in Queens that displayed Israeli flags and banners. He faces multiple criminal-mischief charges classified as hate crimes in connection with those incidents.
The alleged vandalism occurred before the fatal crash.
The incidents also reportedly took place in the same general area, prompting Michael Trager to question whether earlier intervention could have prevented the deadly collision.
Trager told the Daily Wire that he does not believe Faisal specifically targeted his wife.

However, he emphasized that the neighborhood has a large Jewish population.
“The area itself is very, very Jewish,” Trager said.
He said the circumstances have left him wondering whether the suspect’s alleged previous conduct should have received greater attention.
Trager also described the horrifying moments immediately after the crash.
He recalled regaining consciousness on the street and initially struggling to understand what had happened.
“I couldn’t believe it happened because I didn’t do anything wrong,” he said. “We were crossing the street, and next thing I know, I’m on the ground with my wife.”

Cara was a longtime member of the Hollis Hills Jewish community and worked as a journalist.
Her death has left her family and friends searching for answers while the criminal case against Faisal moves forward.
Trager also recalled seeing Faisal’s mother crying during her son’s court appearance.
“I’m thinking to myself, ‘What are you crying for?’” he said, describing the emotional moment.
Faisal has not been charged with a hate crime in connection with Cara Trager’s death. Authorities have separately charged him in connection with the alleged vandalism at the Jewish-owned business.
The investigation and court proceedings remain ongoing.
