A 9-year-old boy was killed Friday morning after being struck by a school bus at a busy five-way intersection in Williamsburg. The tragedy occurred at a junction that lacked crosswalk markings at the time of the accident, leading to urgent demands for immediate safety interventions.
Details of the Collision
Police reports indicate the incident happened around 8:15 a.m. On Friday. A 49-year-old school bus driver was making a left turn from Lee Avenue onto Lorimer Street when the vehicle struck the child.
According to police, the driver initially left the scene but returned after being informed of the accident. The child was transported to Woodhull Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is currently investigating the crash. A police spokesperson stated that officials are still gathering information and have not yet determined if the bus belonged to a public or private school.
Infrastructure and Safety Concerns
The intersection of Lee Avenue, Lorimer Street and Wallabout Street had recently undergone safety improvements that included repaving. However, the city transportation department noted that fresh road markings had not yet been applied, though they are expected to be added in the coming days.
In the aftermath of the crash, witnesses described a chaotic scene where pedestrians, including those heading to a yeshiva and nearby businesses, had to navigate the street without designated crosswalks while cars and dozens of buses clogged the area.
Baruch Herzfeld, a street safety advocate and longtime Brooklyn cyclist, described the location as one of the most crowded places for children in New York City
. Herzfeld noted that the area sees dozens of school buses passing through nearly every hour and serves as a hub for children returning from school and residents preparing for the Jewish Sabbath.
Calls for Urgent Action
Councilman Lincoln Restler has called on the city Department of Transportation to expedite the installation of new crosswalk markings. Restler stated, No community should have to endure a tragedy like this
.
The Councilman is also seeking a signal timing analysis to potentially increase the time pedestrians have to cross the street. He suggested the city implement daylighting
, which involves barring parking spaces close to the intersection to improve visibility.
Restler further requested that the NYPD station a crossing guard at the site. While one guard was present later Friday morning to guide people through the commotion, the request for a permanent presence remains.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his sympathy for the family on social media, stating he was devastated by the loss of a 9-year-old boy struck this morning while crossing the street in Williamsburg
. Mamdani added that the death is a painful reminder
that the city must use every available tool to ensure streets are safe for all New Yorkers.
Current Status and Potential Next Steps
No arrests have been made at this time. Police are waiting to notify the boy’s family before releasing his identity.
The city transportation department has noted that a recent capital safety project, featuring a new pedestrian island and a concrete curb extension, is intended to shorten crossing times and reduce the speed of turning vehicles.
Depending on the outcome of the NYPD investigation and the Councilman’s requests, the city may implement adjusted signal timings or permanent parking restrictions near the intersection to prevent future accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly did the accident take place?
The accident occurred at a five-way intersection in Williamsburg involving Lee Avenue, Lorimer Street, and Wallabout Street.
What specific safety improvements are being requested by local officials?
Councilman Lincoln Restler has called for expedited crosswalk markings, an analysis of signal timing to give pedestrians more time to cross, the implementation of daylighting to remove parking near the intersection, and the stationing of a crossing guard.
How many children have died in traffic on NYC streets this year?
According to the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, six children have been killed in traffic on city streets this year.
Do you believe the removal of road markings during repaving projects should be prohibited in high-pedestrian areas?
