Driver Turning Left Kills 8-Year-Old in Queens Crosswalk
At 31st Avenue and 100th Street in Queens, a 52-year-old driver turning left failed to yield and hit two brothers in a crosswalk, killing an 8-year-old boy, police said.
What We Know
The boy was crossing at 31st Avenue and 100th Street in Queens on the afternoon of March 13, 2024, when police said a 52-year-old driver in a black 2005 Nissan Titan made a left turn as the light changed and failed to yield. The driver hit the 8-year-old and his 10-year-old brother while they were in the crosswalk with their mother, according to police. The younger child died at the scene, and his brother was taken to a hospital in stable condition with a wrist injury. The city crash record lists failure to yield as a contributing factor, and the vehicle record also lists driver inattention or distraction.
A left turn into a crosswalk
The crash happened at about 4:15 p.m. on March 13, 2024, at 31st Avenue and 100th Street. Police told reporters that the driver made a left turn as the light turned green and failed to yield to the family in the crosswalk.
The city crash record says the 8-year-old pedestrian was at the intersection and crossing with the signal. It records one pedestrian killed and one pedestrian injured.
Two brothers and their mother were in the crosswalk
Police said the boys' 37-year-old mother narrowly avoided being hit. A witness described trying to comfort the injured older brother and the mother after hearing the mother scream.
The driver remained at the scene
Police identified the driver as a 52-year-old man in a black 2005 Nissan Titan and said he had a valid driver's license. The official vehicle record describes a 2005 Nissan pickup and says the driver was making a left turn.
Police said the driver remained at the scene and was taken into custody. Charges were pending on the night of the crash, according to the reported police account.
Failure to yield is central in the record
The city crash record lists failure to yield right-of-way as a contributing factor. The vehicle record also lists driver inattention or distraction.
NYPD Chief of Transportation Philip Rivera called the crash avoidable and urged drivers making turns to make sure crosswalks are clear before completing the turn.
31st Avenue has seen repeated harm
The crash occurred at 31st Avenue and 100th Street in Queens, along the 31st Avenue corridor.
CrashCountNYC's street context for 31st Avenue in Queens counts 799 crashes, 527 injuries, 25 serious injuries and 3 deaths since 2022.