Mom, 2 daughters killed in car crash on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn
A mother and her two young daughters were struck by a driver and killed in Brooklyn on Saturday, and a third child is in critical condition.
The crash on Ocean Parkway happened just after 1 p.m. near Quentin Road in Midwood.
4-year-old boy in critical condition after crash
The driver of a Toyota Camry was making a right from Quentin onto Ocean Parkway when the driver of an Audi sedan struck the Camry's rear bumper, police say.
According to police, the Camry was pushed to the side by the impact, and the sedan continued traveling forward into a crosswalk, striking four pedestrians, before overturning.
The four pedestrians – later identified as Natasha Saada, 34, and her three young children – were taken to a local hospital, police say. The mother and two girls, ages 5 and 8, died from their injuries. Her 4-year-old son was in critical condition.
Police say five people were in the Camry, including the 63-year-old driver, a 35-year-old woman and three children between the ages of 4-12. All five were taken to a local hospital in stable condition to be treated for minor injuries, officials say.
One witness, who did not want to be identified, said the crash happened in an instant.
"We saw the car upside down was the first thing we saw, and we didn't know that were– we didn't see the people yet," she said. "Everybody in their cars that were at the red light jumped out of their cars. Everybody was running. Everyone was calling 911. Everyone was calling Hatzalah."
Woman was driving on suspended license
The driver of the sedan, 32-year-old Miriam Yarimi, had to be extricated from her vehicle by the fire department, Mayor Eric Adams said. She was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.
Yarimi was arrested and charged with manslaughter. Police said she was driving on a suspended license, but the reason for the suspension is unknown at this time.
Investigators are working to determine if the woman may have gone through a red light and if speed was a factor. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said a preliminary breath test is being administered to test for possible intoxication.
"I will call it like it is. This was a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn't have been on the road. A mother and two young children ... killed, another child fighting for his life. A family and a neighborhood devastated in an instant," Tisch said. "The NYPD sends its condolences to the family of the victims. May their memories be a blessing."
"This is extremely concerning and painful, not only to the City of New York in general, but specifically to a very close-knit community," the mayor said.
The investigation is ongoing.