A young woman who died in a speeding car that flipped over on the Grand Central Parkway in Queens was like family to the four people she was riding with - including the impaired driver, who is now facing a manslaughter charge, cops and one of the crash survivors said Monday.

Arianna Arregui, 23, was sitting in the middle backseat of the out-of-control Honda Accord that overturned in Astoria early Sunday as the group was returning to Brooklyn from a friend's birthday celebration, according to one of the surviving passengers.

 Arianna was like family to us,  said the passenger, who declined to give her name but is a cousin of the arrested driver, Anthony Dickson.  The whole car was family. It's just unfortunate. 

Dickson, 34, was going west in the right lane of the Grand Central Parkway when he crashed under the Steinway St. overpass in Astoria about 4:10 a.m., cops said.

The vehicle's left rear wheel struck the left curb line dividing the highway, causing the driver to lose control, police said. The vehicle skid sideways, overturned, and struck a light pole.

Dickson, who was not hurt, was taken into police custody and later charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving while ability impaired. He was awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court Monday.

Police said his blood alcohol level was below the legal limit but did not specify what led to the ability impaired charge.

The victim lived less than a mile from Dickson in Bushwick.

The driver's cousin described Dickson as hard-working and family-oriented. His wife, who was sitting up front, was among the crash survivors.

 He's extremely loving. Extremely family-oriented. He'll do anything for us.  the cousin said.  He worked two jobs. Make sure everybody was good. He's one of the closest people to me. Anything I need. 

Of her young friend who died, she said the victim was outspoken and outgoing.

 She went out happy. We were happy. We had a great night,  the cousin said.  Her outfit, she looked so good. She looked beautiful. 

She said they had been like sisters as long as she could remember. Arregui even accompanied the driver

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