The children, who were speeding down the hill…
By Adam Kramer
A Queens Village brother and sister riding the same bike were critically injured after they hit a station wagon at the intersection of 215th Place and Hillside Avenue at 9:15 p.m. Saturday , police said.
The children, who were speeding down the hill against traffic, were riding the bike when they crashed into the station wagon, which had just pulled into the intersection, police said.
Tyrell Ashe, 10, and his 14-year-old sister, Latalia, were both taken to Schneider Children’s Hospital in New Hyde Park, which is part of the LIJ-North Shore Hospital system, police said.
Tyrell suffered a fracture to the back of his skull and his sister fractured her skull, crushed the bone under her eye socket and broke her thigh bone.
Both children remained in critical condition Tuesday, a spokesman for LIJ-North Share said.
Police said no charges or summonses had been issued to the driver of the station wagon and the investigation was ongoing.
Michelle Behnke, 13, who lives on the corner of 215th Place and Hillside Avenue, said she saw Tyrell and Latalia zipping down the street. She said she thought the brother and sister were trying to catch the light, but it turned against them and they crashed into the car.
She said the girl was riding the bike and the brother was standing on the pegs that stuck out from the back wheel. Another brother was following behind on a bike and holding a scooter.
“The light turned green and the car pulled out,” Michelle said. “They both ran head on into the car. Both of their heads hit the front window.”
She said she saw the accident because she was out on the stoop making a phone call. When the crash occurred, she said, “I didn’t know what to do, I was in shock.” She then called 911.
There are a lot of youths who like to ride down the hill because they can get their bikes going at high speed, according to the young eyewitness.
“I do it myself,” she said.
Mohmaed Hoosein, who works on the corner of Hillside and 215th Place, said there used to be more accidents at the intersection, but since a traffic light was installed a few years ago, the number of traffic incidents has decreased.
The city Department of Transportation could not be reached for comment on the intersection.
Reach reporter Adam Kramer by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 157.
