1 teen girl dead, 2nd injured after being struck by truck in East Village, police say

One teenage girl was killed and a second was injured after they were struck by a large truck in the East Village on Friday night, police say.

It happened around 9 p.m. at East 14th Street and First Avenue.

Police say the driver was traveling westbound on 14th Street and made a right onto First Avenue when he struck the two girls, who were riding on the same bicycle.

A Citi Bike could be seen underneath the tires of a large truck at the scene.  

Both victims were rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where one victim was pronounced dead. She has been identified as 15-year-old Daria Serkov.

The second victim was last reported to be in stable condition. Police initially said that victim was 13 years old, but later issued an update saying she is 16.

According to police sources, the 16-year-old girl was operating the bike and the 15-year-old girl was a passenger.

Witnesses told CBS News New York the driver did not initially realize he struck the girls. Onlookers had to flag him down and tried getting the girls help. One witness said the driver was crying when he realized what had happened.

Police say the driver stayed on the scene.  

Badger Company, which owns the truck involved in the crash, issued a statement saying it's fully cooperating with the NYPD on the investigation.

"We are devastated by the loss of this young life and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends," a spokesperson wrote in a statement, in part. "Our thoughts are with all those impacted, and we are grateful to the emergency responders who provided care and assistance at the scene."

The nonprofit organization Transportation Alternatives says the intersection where the crash happened is in need of a redesign with "turn calming, protected bike infrastructure, and a protected bike intersection to prevent crashes and tragedies like this from ever happening again."

Some residents who live in the area told CBS News New York the intersection feels dangerous, and the deadly crash has them reconsidering how safe they are on a Citi Bike.

"My son is 14, and he always wants to ride a Citi Bike without a helmet," one mom said. "I always say no, but every one of his friends goes on a Citi Bike without a helmet. And everybody does. It's really scary."

No charges have been filed at this time in connection to Friday's crash. The investigation is ongoing.