EAST ELMHURST, NY – A car accident in Queens led to a tragic outcome for a family on Wednesday afternoon. Two young boys, just 8 and 10 years old, were struck by a vehicle at the crossing of 31st Avenue and 100th Street in East Elmhurst. The younger child died on the scene, while the elder is in stable condition following treatment for a wrist injury at the New York Presbyterian Hospital.
According to local police, the boys and their mother were in the crosswalk at the time of the incident, which took place shortly after 4:15 p.m. The car involved, a black 2005 Nissan Titan, was driven by a 52-year-old man who reportedly turned left when the traffic light changed to green, striking the brothers without yielding.
Authorities declared the 8-year-old dead at the scene. His 10-year-old brother was transported to New York Presbyterian Hospital. He was considered to be in stable condition.
The mother narrowly escaped the accident without being injured. The driver, who possesses a valid license, remained on the scene following the accident and was subsequently detained by police.
News of the tragedy soon reached a friend of the boys’ mother, who raced outside upon hearing her screams from inside her own home. The woman, a mother herself with children of similar ages to the boys, was visibly shaken as she described trying to comfort the grief-stricken mother and the injured older sibling.