Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
5 Connecticut children, ages 8-17, dead after New York crash
5 Connecticut children, ages 8-17, dead after New York crash
2 hours ago
SCARSDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Five children from Connecticut, ranging in age from 8 to 17, were killed in a fiery crash on a New York highway, police said. ... Police believe the vehicle was being driven by a 16-year-old boy when it veered off the Hutchinson River Parkway early Sunday in Scarsdale, hit a tree and caught fire. A 9-year-old boy, the sixth person in the Nissan Rogue, was the only survivor, according to a statement provided by Kieran O’Leary, spokesperson for the Westchester County Police Department.
The 9-year-old was “apparently riding in the rear hatchback/cargo area and escaped out the rear,” according to the statement. The boy was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
The five who were killed include four boys and a girl. Their identities have not yet been released. Police said they are all from Connecticut.
Matt Conway, the superintendent of schools in Derby, Connecticut, said he learned the children were part of a family that recently moved to the New Haven County community from New York but had not enrolled in the district. Conway said he reached out to the father on Sunday and offered to provide him information about available supports in the community for him and his family. He planned to talk with the father again on Monday.
{snip}
2 hours ago
SCARSDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Five children from Connecticut, ranging in age from 8 to 17, were killed in a fiery crash on a New York highway, police said. ... Police believe the vehicle was being driven by a 16-year-old boy when it veered off the Hutchinson River Parkway early Sunday in Scarsdale, hit a tree and caught fire. A 9-year-old boy, the sixth person in the Nissan Rogue, was the only survivor, according to a statement provided by Kieran O’Leary, spokesperson for the Westchester County Police Department.
The 9-year-old was “apparently riding in the rear hatchback/cargo area and escaped out the rear,” according to the statement. The boy was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
The five who were killed include four boys and a girl. Their identities have not yet been released. Police said they are all from Connecticut.
Matt Conway, the superintendent of schools in Derby, Connecticut, said he learned the children were part of a family that recently moved to the New Haven County community from New York but had not enrolled in the district. Conway said he reached out to the father on Sunday and offered to provide him information about available supports in the community for him and his family. He planned to talk with the father again on Monday.
{snip}
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Five Children Dead After 16-Year-Old Driver Crashes Into Tree in Greater NYC
The four boys and one girl killed were all from the same family in Connecticut. One child, who was riding in the trunk of the SUV, survived.
By Erin Marquis | Published Yesterday
A brutal crash in the New York metropolitan area on Sunday claimed the lives of five children — all from the same family. ... A 16-year-old driver at the wheel of a Nissan Rogue left the pavement and hit a tree Sunday night. The vehicle burst into flames after the collision. The four boys and one girl killed in the crash ranged in ages from eight to 17. All were from the same family in Connecticut, CNN reports. One 9-year-old boy, who was riding in the trunk of the Nissan, survived the crash. He was able to escape when the fire began and was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
No other cars were involved in the crash. The Rogue left the road on the Hutchinson River Parkway in Scarsdale, New York around 12:20 a.m. Sunday. The crash is currently under investigation by Westchester police.
This crash comes while just next door in Pennsylvania, lawmakers are discussing lowering the state’s learners-permit driving age to 15 so kids can go to work. Such a law would allow 15-year-old drivers to operate a vehicle between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. only if they are traveling for a job, volunteer work or charitable services.
It’s unclear if the 16-year-old driver in question had obtained a learner’s permit or a full license at the time of the crash. In Connecticut, there is no curfew for drivers with learner’s permits, but such drivers are also not allowed to transport passengers, aside from a qualified trainer, parent or legal guardian.
Car crashes remain one of the biggest killers of American children, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Over 2,800 children died in car crashes in the U.S. in 2020 alone, with some 227,000 seriously injured.
The four boys and one girl killed were all from the same family in Connecticut. One child, who was riding in the trunk of the SUV, survived.
By Erin Marquis | Published Yesterday
A brutal crash in the New York metropolitan area on Sunday claimed the lives of five children — all from the same family. ... A 16-year-old driver at the wheel of a Nissan Rogue left the pavement and hit a tree Sunday night. The vehicle burst into flames after the collision. The four boys and one girl killed in the crash ranged in ages from eight to 17. All were from the same family in Connecticut, CNN reports. One 9-year-old boy, who was riding in the trunk of the Nissan, survived the crash. He was able to escape when the fire began and was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
No other cars were involved in the crash. The Rogue left the road on the Hutchinson River Parkway in Scarsdale, New York around 12:20 a.m. Sunday. The crash is currently under investigation by Westchester police.
This crash comes while just next door in Pennsylvania, lawmakers are discussing lowering the state’s learners-permit driving age to 15 so kids can go to work. Such a law would allow 15-year-old drivers to operate a vehicle between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. only if they are traveling for a job, volunteer work or charitable services.
It’s unclear if the 16-year-old driver in question had obtained a learner’s permit or a full license at the time of the crash. In Connecticut, there is no curfew for drivers with learner’s permits, but such drivers are also not allowed to transport passengers, aside from a qualified trainer, parent or legal guardian.
Car crashes remain one of the biggest killers of American children, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Over 2,800 children died in car crashes in the U.S. in 2020 alone, with some 227,000 seriously injured.
Here's a reply:
Anti-Star Super-Christ > Erin Marquis
3/20/23 3:17pm
More info here:
https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/derby-children-killed-scarsdale-ny-crash-17849224.php
But basically, the driver had NO license or permit. Police say he “failed to navigate a turn,” there was not vehicle damage to suggest they hit something/someone, no tire marks to suggest they tried to avoid anything or even brake, etc. Hit a boulder, then the tree, so may explain the fire better (boulder ruptured the fuel tank?). And, in Connecticut, a 16-year-old is prohibited from driving with passengers under the age of 20 and non-family members. Drivers under 18 also may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless it is for employment, school, religious activity or medical necessity. No word yet on how they got the vehicle, or if the parents just straight up allowed them to, which I am leaning towards. How do 5 kids sneak out and take your car at midnight without you knowing.
3/20/23 3:17pm
More info here:
https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/derby-children-killed-scarsdale-ny-crash-17849224.php
But basically, the driver had NO license or permit. Police say he “failed to navigate a turn,” there was not vehicle damage to suggest they hit something/someone, no tire marks to suggest they tried to avoid anything or even brake, etc. Hit a boulder, then the tree, so may explain the fire better (boulder ruptured the fuel tank?). And, in Connecticut, a 16-year-old is prohibited from driving with passengers under the age of 20 and non-family members. Drivers under 18 also may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless it is for employment, school, religious activity or medical necessity. No word yet on how they got the vehicle, or if the parents just straight up allowed them to, which I am leaning towards. How do 5 kids sneak out and take your car at midnight without you knowing.
NEWS
Driver, 16, in NY crash that killed 5 Derby children did not have permit or license, official says
Liz Hardaway, Peter Yankowski, Lisa Backus
March 20, 2023
Updated: March 20, 2023 7:12 p.m.
1 of 19
The Hutchinson River Parkway in New York state where five Connecticut juveniles were killed in a motor vehicle crash over the weekend. Officials said the crash occurred just after midnight Sunday in the area north of Exit 12 in the northbound lanes of the highway.
Patrick Sikes / For Hearst Connecticut Media
The 16-year-old driver of an SUV who died along with four family members in a crash over the weekend in Westchester County did not have a learner's permit or license in Connecticut or New York, officials said Monday.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said a witness reported the driver, identified as Malik Smith, went straight where the Hutchinson River Parkway curved just north of the Mamaroneck Road exit in Scarsdale, N.Y. The SUV then went off the highway, struck a boulder and then a tree before the vehicle burst into flames with six children inside around 12:20 a.m. Sunday, Latimer said.
Describing the crash as "horrific," Latimer identified the children who died as Derby residents Smith; Anthony Billips, Jr., 17; Zahnyiah Cross, 12; Shawnell Cross, 11; and Andrew Billips, 8. A sixth child, Abraham Billips, 9, also of Derby, survived by crawling out of the shattered back window, Latimer said.
{snip}
The children were in a 2021 Nissan Rogue that was rented out to relatives, but it was not clear how the teen was given access to the vehicle, Latimer said.
{snip}
Staff writers Josh LaBella and Pat Tomlinson contributed to this story.
Written By
Liz Hardaway
Reach Liz on https://twitter.com/liz_hardaway
Liz Hardaway is a breaking news reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group.
She was a Hearst fellow in Connecticut and at the San Antonio Express-News where she covered city hall and local issues. She also worked at the Sun Newspapers in Southwest Florida as a general assignment reporter covering politics, business, and health.
Liz graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2018 with a B.A. in journalism. She enjoys cooking, reading and playing with her dachshund, Finn.
Written By
Peter Yankowski
Reach Peter on https://twitter.com/peter_yankowski
Peter Yankowski is a breaking news reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. He was previously a reporter for the Danbury News-Times and the Ridgefield Press.
Written By
Lisa Backus
Reach Lisa on https://twitter.com/Lbackusoncrime
Lisa Backus is a local, state and national award-winning crime reporter who covers breaking news and criminal justice policy for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. When she's not working she can be found hanging out with her animal companions Spot and Morgan and her six grandchildren.
Driver, 16, in NY crash that killed 5 Derby children did not have permit or license, official says
Liz Hardaway, Peter Yankowski, Lisa Backus
March 20, 2023
Updated: March 20, 2023 7:12 p.m.
1 of 19
The Hutchinson River Parkway in New York state where five Connecticut juveniles were killed in a motor vehicle crash over the weekend. Officials said the crash occurred just after midnight Sunday in the area north of Exit 12 in the northbound lanes of the highway.
Patrick Sikes / For Hearst Connecticut Media
The 16-year-old driver of an SUV who died along with four family members in a crash over the weekend in Westchester County did not have a learner's permit or license in Connecticut or New York, officials said Monday.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said a witness reported the driver, identified as Malik Smith, went straight where the Hutchinson River Parkway curved just north of the Mamaroneck Road exit in Scarsdale, N.Y. The SUV then went off the highway, struck a boulder and then a tree before the vehicle burst into flames with six children inside around 12:20 a.m. Sunday, Latimer said.
Describing the crash as "horrific," Latimer identified the children who died as Derby residents Smith; Anthony Billips, Jr., 17; Zahnyiah Cross, 12; Shawnell Cross, 11; and Andrew Billips, 8. A sixth child, Abraham Billips, 9, also of Derby, survived by crawling out of the shattered back window, Latimer said.
{snip}
The children were in a 2021 Nissan Rogue that was rented out to relatives, but it was not clear how the teen was given access to the vehicle, Latimer said.
{snip}
Staff writers Josh LaBella and Pat Tomlinson contributed to this story.
Written By
Liz Hardaway
Reach Liz on https://twitter.com/liz_hardaway
Liz Hardaway is a breaking news reporter with Hearst Connecticut Media Group.
She was a Hearst fellow in Connecticut and at the San Antonio Express-News where she covered city hall and local issues. She also worked at the Sun Newspapers in Southwest Florida as a general assignment reporter covering politics, business, and health.
Liz graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2018 with a B.A. in journalism. She enjoys cooking, reading and playing with her dachshund, Finn.
Written By
Peter Yankowski
Reach Peter on https://twitter.com/peter_yankowski
Peter Yankowski is a breaking news reporter for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. He was previously a reporter for the Danbury News-Times and the Ridgefield Press.
Written By
Lisa Backus
Reach Lisa on https://twitter.com/Lbackusoncrime
Lisa Backus is a local, state and national award-winning crime reporter who covers breaking news and criminal justice policy for Hearst Connecticut Media Group. When she's not working she can be found hanging out with her animal companions Spot and Morgan and her six grandchildren.
