What to Know
- A school bus struck and killed a 10-year-old girl as the vehicle tried to turn at a Brooklyn intersection Tuesday morning, authorities said
- The child was identified as Patience Albert; at least three people, possibly members of her family, were visibly distraught at the scene
- Neighbors said the intersection is notoriously unsafe; one woman demanded traffic lights and said buses always turn too fast there
A 10-year-old girl was struck and killed by a school bus as she crossed a Brooklyn street early Tuesday, police say.
The child, later identified as Patience Albert, was hit by the bus as it turned on Crescent Street, near Wortman Avenue, in East New York around 6:30 a.m.
The young Brooklyn resident died at a hospital a short time later.
The bus remained at the scene; it wasn't clear where it was headed or if anyone was aboard aside from the driver at the time of the accident. There's a public school about a block from the scene.
The driver, Pedro Colon, was charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care.
At least three people, possibly members of the girl's family, appeared extremely distraught at the scene. A man had his hands over his face at one point as officers spoke with them.
Neighbors said the intersection is notoriously unsafe. One woman, choking back tears, said that "just because black and brown people live here doesn't mean we don't deserve traffic lights."
The operator of the bus, Quality Trans Corp, didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The Department of Education said the driver had been suspending pending the outcome of the investigation.
