Police: Driver Arrested Following Crash That Killed Brooklyn Girl, Injured Pregnant Mother
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A driver has been arrested in connection with a Brooklyn crash that killed a 10-year-old girl and injured her pregnant mother.
Bilal Ghumann, 22, has been charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle.
According to police, Ghumann was on the job working for a nearby valet service when he allegedly took someone's Honda Odyssey minivan without permission and drove to a store.
That's when investigators said he struck 10-year-old Blima Friedman and her mother, 33-year-old Sarah Friedman, as they were crossing 60th Street Tuesday night at the intersection of 18th Avenue.
People at the scene were shocked by what they saw.
"She was worrying about her kid," witness Angel Santos said. "She was saying, 'Is my kid OK? Is my kid OK?'"
Blima Friedman was taken to Maimonides Medical Center where she later died.
Sarah Friedman, who was nine months pregnant, was pinned under the van. She was taken to Lutheran Medical Center in stable condition where she gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
Friends of the Friedman's said the family dealt with another devastating setback in 2009 when a fire engulfed their home during Chanukah.
They said Blima was inside when the fire broke out and escaped, but her younger sister was badly burned and nearly lost her life.
"It's such a tragedy, I don't know what to say," family friend Raisa Zwiebel told CBS2's Ilana Gold. "They're wonderful, wonderful people. I've known them for years."
Police said Ghumann remained on the scene after the crash and said there was also a warrant out for his arrest on a drug charge.
Blima's funeral was held Wednesday afternoon in Borough Park.
Many held onto each other in tears over the death of Blima.
"Always happy and just always wanting to please and do the right thing," the girl's teacher told CBS2's Emily Smith.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams was seen in attendance, 1010 WINS' Roger Stern reported.
Ghumann's bail was set at $5,000 bond or $2,500 cash.
Friedman and her unborn baby remained in the hospital on Wednesday.
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