1 teen killed, 1 hurt when hit by car in Rockland County

SUFFERN, Rockland County (WABC) -- One student was killed and another hurt late Wednesday when they were struck by a car whose driver lost control following a crash on Route 202 in Suffern.

Marcos Tawil, 17, was killed and 19-year-old David Maldanado was injured. Both were students at a nearby Yeshiva.

"Just very good, very good boys," friend Binah Mishli said. "I knew these boys, and it hurt me. My husband was beyond devastated. We couldn't do anything this morning when I heard it."

Ramapo police say two cars were traveling east toward Haverstraw on Route 202, near Wilder and Spook Rock roads, just before midnight when a 2008 Honda driven by 19-year-old Tzvi Hakakian, of Monsey, slowed, possibly to turn left into the Yeshiva driveway. A 2016 Lexus driven by 24-year-old Jonathan Mosquera, an off-duty officer from Suffern, tried to go around the Honda on the left, and the two sideswiped each other.

The Honda continued east, while the Lexus veered left, crossed the westbound lane and struck the two pedestrians standing near the edge of the same driveway.

The teens were found unconscious on the side of the road. Tawil was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, where he was pronounced dead. Maldanado was taken to Westchester Medical Center, where he is in serious condition.

"The investigation will look into everything from roadway condition, lighting, speed, any other traffic violations, condition of vehicles," Ramapo police Lieutenant Mark Emma said. "That's where we are right now. That takes a little bit of time."

The crash is under investigation, and police said both drivers tested negative for alcohol. Questions linger whether speed, poor visibility or both were factors.

"If you know this road like I know this road, it's not well lit," Mishli said. "But the boys were standing with their lights, the lights were on from their phones to be seen from the road. And they weren't standing in the road. They were standing the driveway when this occurred. They need to do something here. It's tragic."

outcue: need to do something here

Tawil was from Argentina and was living at Yeshiva Tiferet Torah, a school for college-age men. Mourners carried his casket Thursday afternoon, placing it in a hearse and following it up the driveway of the Yeshiva, just steps from where he was killed. As per Jewish custom, volunteers spent the morning cleaning the scene of the victim's blood, which preceded the tearful goodbye.

His body will be flown back to his native country for burial. So far, no charges have been filed.