An 8-year-old boy was killed and his 10-year-old brother injured after being hit by a car while crossing Queens Street Wednesday afternoon, police said.
Police said the brothers were crossing the street with their mother at the intersection of 31st Street and 100th Street in East Elmhurst around 4:15 p.m. when they spotted a black 2005 vehicle being driven by a 52-year-old man. He was reportedly hit by a Nissan Titan.
New York City Police Department Traffic Commissioner Philip Rivera said at a news conference Wednesday night that the driver struck the brothers by turning left as soon as the light turned green and “failure to yield.”
The 8-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene. His brother injured his wrist but was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital in stable condition.
Police said the 37-year-old mother “narrowly” escaped being hit by a truck.
Rivera said the driver remained at the scene and had a valid driver’s license, but was taken into custody. Charges were pending Wednesday night.
One witness, a friend of the boys’ mother, said he heard the mother’s screams, saw what was happening through the window and ran outside.
The woman, who is also the mother of two children the same age as the two boys, said she became emotional as she tried to comfort the 10-year-old boy and his inconsolable mother as the younger boy lay on the ground. Told.
“While this incident was tragic, it was preventable,” Rivera said at a news conference. “When turning, especially left turns, you must always yield to vehicles and pedestrians.
“Wait one more second and make sure the crosswalk is clear before you finish your turn,” he continued. “A family trying to enjoy a beautiful day will never be the same because of this wrong decision.”
