A 9-year-old boy died on Saturday afternoon shortly after being struck by a car while walking across Northern Boulevard in Woodside, police said.
The incident occurred at about 1:23 p.m. on April 28 at the intersection of Northern Boulevard and 70th Street, near the Woodside/Jackson Heights border.
Sources said the young boy, identified as Giovanni Ampuero of 70th Street, was crossing with his mother at the intersection when they were both struck by a red Jeep Compass. Police said the vehicle was traveling northbound on 70th Street and turning west onto Northern Boulevard when it hit both victims.
According to Assemblyman Michael DenDekker, the child was hit even though he had the walk light in his favor.
“Another child hit by a car while crossing in the crosswalk,” DenDekker tweeted. “When a pedestrian has a green walk light ALL cars should be stopped. We must change the lighting system. Please pray for the child and his family.”
Officers from the 115th Precinct and EMS units responded to 911 calls about the incident. Upon arrival, the officers and paramedics found the child with severe head and torso trauma.
Paramedics rushed Ampuero to Elmhurst Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His mother reportedly did not suffer serious bodily injuries.
Though the vehicle initially fled the scene, officers were able to track down the driver soon after the incident, according to Make Queens Safer, a street safety advocacy group.
Terrible news that a 9 year old boy was struck on #NorthernBlvd today. @NYPD115Pct called in all cars to catch the #hitandrun driver, who hit them making a left into crosswalk. @mgdendekker there, and thx for supporting the family and community. pic.twitter.com/v9Ai4Aw0xm
— Make Queens Safer (@MakeQueensSafer) April 28, 2018
WABC-TV reported that the driver is an 86-year-old man. Police confirmed that the driver — Juan B. Jimenez of West 119th Street in Manhattan — has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident, failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care.
Additional charges may be pending the results of the ongoing investigation.
This story was updated on April 28, 10:15 p.m.
