7-year-old boy killed in New York car accident

A tragic accident claimed the life of a 7-year-old boy in the Bronx on the afternoon of June 4, according to local sources. The car accident also injured the boy’s father and sister. The driver responsible for the crash has been taken into New York police custody and now faces several charges. 

According to eyewitnesses on the scene, it appears a 73-year-old man drove his vehicle in reverse directly into the storefront of a restaurant in Pelham Bay with enough speed to destroy the storefront. His vehicle pinned the boy against the drywall while striking his 34-year-old father and 5-year-old sister. The man then drove away but was apprehended at a nearby intersection.

The boy was rushed to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The father and sister were both taken to hospitals as well, but both were in stable condition as of this report. The driver faces one charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident and two of leaving the scene of an accident causing injury. The man apparently escaped serious injury. No arraignment has yet been scheduled. 

Should New York authorities find the man guilty of the pending criminal charges, there is a good chance he will face serious repercussions, including possible jail time. Separately and without regard to the outcome of the criminal charges, the family affected by this tragedy will be in a position to sue for personal injury and wrongful death. No criminal conviction will be required for these civil suits to be processed, though evidence used in the criminal proceedings may be of use in establishing financial liability for the car accident in a related civil court claim. 

Source: The New York Times, “Bronx Boy, 7, Killed After Car Crashes Into Restaurant“, Liam Stack and John Surico, June 5, 2015