16-year-old girl fatally struck by vehicle in Queens

A teenager was fatally struck by a vehicle Wednesday afternoon while crossing a street in Queens, according to the NYPD, Spectrum News NY1 informs.

Police reported that a 16-year-old girl and her 8-year-old sister were hit by a delivery truck making a right turn from 47th Avenue onto 46th Street just before 3:30 p.m.

The truck had the green light at the time, police said. The driver stopped a block away and was overheard saying he didn’t realize he had hit the girls, officials said. After the crash, he continued on to make a delivery at a bodega.

The 16-year-old girl was declared dead at the scene. The 8-year-old girl was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and is in stable condition, according to police, Spectrum News NY1 informs.

The younger girl sustained head and leg injuries, which officials described as life-threatening.

“It was tough to see that,” Justin Castilo, a student, said.

The incident occurred on the last day of classes at I.S. 125, a school located on the block where the crash happened. Students, including Castilo, were there to pick up their diplomas after graduating.

“When I saw the mother, I almost started crying myself. I had to leave after that and go for a walk around,” Castilo said.

A Department of Education spokesperson stated, “Our thoughts are with the victims of this horrible accident and their family. We are offering support to the school community as they support each other during this time.”

Several community members gathered near the scene of the incident.

“I feel worried because it is a drastic tragedy and yes, I feel, as I say, at that moment I was shocked. I didn’t know whether to take care of the children. But since my wife was with me, she stayed there and I came chasing to see if I could find the truck or the van that was there,” said Orlando Diaz, a Queens resident.

The driver is currently in police custody, and it is unclear what charges he may face. The investigation is ongoing, officials said.