Child struck and killed by school bus in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

A child was struck and killed by a school bus in Brooklyn on Friday morning, police said. 

It happened at Lee Avenue and Lorimer Street in Williamsburg just before 8:20 a.m., according to police.

Driver left scene

A preliminary investigation showed that the school bus driver, 49, was making a left turn from Lee Avenue onto Lorimer Street when the bus struck a 9-year-old boy as he was crossing Lorimer.

Police said the child was rushed to Woodhull Hospital but could not be saved.

The bus driver left the scene, police sources said. The driver said he was unaware he had struck the child, but later returned to the scene after being notified of the incident, police said. 

The driver was being questioned and has not been charged at this time, police said.

"It's heartbreaking"

After the crash, officers remained on the scene, reminding pedestrians over a loudspeaker to wait on the sidewalk before crossing the street.

The intersection was recently resurfaced. A local New York City Council member said he's asked the Department of Transportation to expedite new street markings and the NYPD to provide a crossing guard.

"Any accident, we wanna make sure that you can enhance safety so it doesn't happen again," said Simon Weiser, Brooklyn Community Board 1 First Vice Chair. "It's all one big family. We know the family, and it's heartbreaking."

"It's very emotional. I shed some tears," resident Hershy Kohn said.

"I am devastated by the loss of a 9-year-old boy struck this morning while crossing the street in Williamsburg," New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on social media. "My heart is with his family and loved ones as they endure this tragic loss. Children should be safe walking around our city, and this horrific road death is a painful reminder that we must continue to use every tool available to make our streets safe for all New Yorkers."