NEW YORK — An 8-year-old boy was killed and his 10-year-old brother was injured after being hit by a truck in Queens on Wednesday afternoon.
The driver was taken into custody.
At a news conference in East Elmhurst, the NYPD said that driver was one of the first people to call 911 to report the crash.
Police continued to gather evidence Wednesday night, but what we know right now is that the driver was coming down 31st Avenue and was making a left turn onto 100th Street at around 4:15 p.m. when the two boys were hit.
A woman and her two sons were crossing the street. They had the walk signal and the driver had the green light, but police say the 2005 Nissan pickup truck did not yield.
The 8-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene. The 10-year-old was hospitalized with an injury to his left wrist.
Police said the 52-year-old driver was immediately taken into custody. A field sobriety test was administered. Law enforcement officials said he was not intoxicated.
Police said they checked the records for the intersection for the last two years and found there have been no incidents, but said any intersection can be a dangerous intersection if drivers aren’t careful.
“This incident, as tragic as it is, was avoidable. When making turns, especially left ones, you must always yield to vehicles and pedestrians,” NYPD Chief of Transportation Phil Rivera said. “Because of this poor decision, a family trying to enjoy a beautiful day will never be the same.”
Police said the driver has previous driving-related arrests. Charges are pending.
- In:
- Queens
- Pedestrian Killed
- NYPD
- East Elmhurst
- Pedestrian Struck
