Pedestrian fatally struck by school bus in Queens, NYC

A 73-year-old Bronx woman, Maria Rodriguez, lost her life after being struck by a school bus in Queens, NY. This tragic event occurred just moments after she had dropped off her grandchildren at school, marking a devastating day for her family and the entire community.

Maria Rodriguez was attempting to cross 86th Street in Queens at around 7:30 a.m. when she was hit by a school bus making a left turn from 107th Avenue in Ozone Park. Despite the efforts of first responders, she was tragically pronounced dead at the scene.

Maria Rodriguez was a beloved mother and grandmother, the pillar of her family, known for her vivacity and joy. Her grandson, Joel Rodriguez, described her as the heart of the family, the one who would bring everyone together.

Maria Rodriguez had been visiting her daughter in Queens and was helping her daughter’s family by taking her grandchildren to school. While the exact details of the accident are still under investigation, it is known that the school bus had young passengers on board, all under the age of 12. Thankfully, none of the children were injured in the collision.

The bus driver, Maria Marte, a 47-year-old resident of East Elmhurst, remained at the scene following the accident. Law enforcement authorities have charged her with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care. These charges reflect the initial assessment of the incident, which suggests that the bus driver may bear some responsibility for the tragic outcome.

Legal Considerations

In cases like this, where a pedestrian loses their life in a traffic accident, it is crucial to thoroughly investigate the circumstances to determine liability. The charges filed against the bus driver indicate that there may have been a failure on her part to exercise caution and yield to a pedestrian in the crosswalk.

As NYC bus accident lawyers, our primary focus in every bus accident case is on ensuring that the victims of all bus accidents receive the justice they deserve.. This may involve pursuing a wrongful death claim on their behalf. In such cases, compensation can be sought to cover funeral expenses, medical bills, lost income, and other damages.

It’s important for the legal system to carefully review all available evidence, including witness testimonies, surveillance footage, and expert opinions, to establish liability in this tragic accident. The goal is not only to hold responsible parties accountable but also to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future by highlighting the importance of pedestrian safety.

Picture of the location of the accident: courtesy of Google Map