Boy killed, 2nd child critical after being struck by van in Brooklyn

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

Boy killed, 2nd child critical after being struck by van in New York City

Kemberly Richardson reports on the deadly accident in Brooklyn.

BENSONHURST, Brooklyn (WABC) -- A young child is dead and another is in critical condition after they were inadvertently struck by the van driver who had just dropped them off in Brooklyn Monday morning.

It happened around 9:15 a.m. on 67th Street in Bensonhurst, where authorities say the children, from Staten Island, are driven to a yeshiva daily.

The victims, ages 4 and 6, were hit by a blue work van outside Yeshiva Ketane of Bensonhurst that initially drove away from the scene, with the driver apparently unaware he had struck anyone, according to police.

TOP NEWS | Queens Place Mall evacuated due to suspicious package

They were rushed to Maimonides Medical Center, where the 4-year-old, later identified as Yoshi Balaban, was pronounced dead.

The 6-year-old boy is listed in critical but stable condition.

Police say the 76-year-old driver was contacted and returned to the scene. So far, no charges have been filed.

Funeral services will be held for the deceased child at the Yeshiva of Staten Island Monday night.