Yoel Jacobowitz Killed in Brooklyn Pedestrian Accident
9-year-old boy struck by private yeshiva bus at 5-way intersection lacking crosswalks
Yoel Jacobowitz, 9, of Brooklyn, was killed in a pedestrian accident when he was struck by a school bus at the corner of Lee Avenue and Lorimer Street in Williamsburg on Friday, according to the NYPD.
The private yeshiva bus was turning from Lee Avenue onto Lorimer Street around 8:15 a.m. when it hit the child, who was walking to school. The 49-year-old driver initially drove away from the scene but returned after a witness waved him down to report the collision.
paramedics pronounced the boy dead at the scene.
The five-way intersection, which connects with Wallabout Street, was recently under construction and lacks crosswalks and clear street markings.
No charges have been filed against the bus driver as the investigation continues. City leaders have urged the Department of Transportation to review pedestrian signal timing in the area.
Why did the bus driver initially leave the Williamsburg scene?
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal"In pedestrian accidents involving commercial vehicles, investigators must rigorously examine all contributing factors, including checking driver logs, vehicle maintenance records, and potential impairment."
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, commercial driver impairment and distraction remain primary focuses during post-collision investigations, particularly in dense urban environments.
How do construction and missing crosswalks impact liability?
National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal"When analyzing pedestrian accidents, investigators must consider whether poor road design, obscured signage, or temporary hazards point to municipal or contractor negligence, creating a complex web of liability."
Under New York law, individuals injured due to another party's negligence, or the families of those killed, may be entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, and pain and suffering.
New York wrongful death claims
Families typically have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit in New York. When municipal entities like the Department of Transportation or city contractors are involved due to missing crosswalks or poor road design, a Notice of Claim must generally be filed within 90 days of the crash.