International Fugitive Arrested for 2022 NYC Hit-and-Run Death

Florin Stoian, wanted globally, extradited to face charges in Queens pedestrian killing

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Florin Stoian, a 30-year-old Romanian national with a long criminal history, has been extradited to the United States to face charges in the 2022 hit-and-run death of 74-year-old Be Tran in Queens, New York. Stoian, an accused human trafficker with over 30 aliases, fled the scene after allegedly striking Tran with his BMW and then setting the car on fire. He evaded authorities for years, committing crimes across multiple countries, before being apprehended in Germany and extradited back to the U.S.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down international fugitives who commit serious crimes and then flee across borders to avoid prosecution. It also underscores the trauma and loss experienced by victims' families when perpetrators evade justice for years. The NYPD's perseverance in this investigation demonstrates their commitment to holding criminals accountable, no matter how long it takes.

The details

According to police, on August 14, 2022, Florin Stoian was allegedly driving a black BMW that struck and killed 74-year-old pedestrian Be Tran in the Ridgewood neighborhood of Queens. Stoian is accused of fleeing the scene, abandoning the car, and then setting it on fire, damaging several nearby homes. He then went on the run, evading authorities in the U.S. and abroad for over three years. The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad tracked Stoian to Michigan, Canada, Ireland, and the Netherlands before locating him in a German prison, where he was serving time for a separate crime. Stoian, who has over 30 aliases and is wanted globally for human trafficking and other offenses, was finally extradited back to New York to face charges including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and arson.

  • On August 14, 2022, Stoian allegedly struck and killed 74-year-old Be Tran in Queens.
  • In 2023, Stoian was located in a German prison, where he was serving time for a separate crime.
  • In 2026, Stoian was extradited back to the U.S. to face charges in the 2022 hit-and-run death.

The players

Florin Stoian

A 30-year-old Romanian national with a long criminal history, including human trafficking, who is accused of the 2022 hit-and-run death of Be Tran in Queens.

Be Tran

A 74-year-old pedestrian who was killed in the 2022 hit-and-run incident in Queens.

NYPD Lt. Jag Singh

Head of the NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad, which led the investigation to track down Florin Stoian.

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What they’re saying

“Whether you run across the street or you run across the globe, as was in this case, the New York City Police Department's not gonna stop.”

— NYPD Lt. Jag Singh, Head of the NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad

“If you committed such a heinous crime, we're gonna go to the ends of the earth and make sure you're caught. This person was very elusive, has been in the past, was in this case as well.”

— NYPD Lt. Jag Singh, Head of the NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad

What’s next

Stoian is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges, which include manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, arson, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, criminal mischief, reckless driving, and tampering with physical evidence.

The takeaway

This case underscores the determination of law enforcement to track down and hold accountable those who commit serious crimes, even when they try to evade justice by fleeing across international borders. It also highlights the devastating impact on victims' families when perpetrators manage to avoid prosecution for years.