NEW YORK – A speeding car struck a mother and her four children, who had just stepped off the school bus in Brooklyn, surveillance video showed. At least two of the victims sustained serious injuries.
New York City Police said a white 2016 Mercedes-Benz flew over a stop sign, as well as a school bus stop sign, just before 5 p.m. Avenue J yes Avenue New York in Flatbush. The mother of four was crossing the street after picking up her older children, ages 8 and 5, who had just stepped off the school bus.
Officers were trying to stop the Mercedes two blocks away, but the driver went ahead. Surveillance video from the area showed the vehicle speeding along the Avenue J and passed the stop sign before hitting the family.
“It’s terrible, the cops were chasing the white Mercedes-Benz and that’s why it went through the stop sign,” said a witness who passed by Jojo.
A small figure can be seen falling to the ground and then running onto the sidewalk after the car hits the mother and children. Police said the car hit family members, including a 1-year-old in a stroller and a 3-year-old. The mother was hit so badly that she was pinned under the school bus, according to witnesses.
Paramedics rushed the family to Maimonides hospital. The driver finally abandoned the Mercedes a mile away 24th street yes Glenwood Roadthe police said. It wasn’t immediately clear why officers were trying to stop the vehicle, but police said the patrol car’s lights and sirens were on.
Three of the four children were released from hospital Wednesday night. The mother and one of the children were still recovering in Maimonides but were expected to survive.
No arrests have yet been made. An investigation is underway.
