NY - 5 children killed in crash, including driver, 1 survivor, Hutchinson River Parkway - Scarsdale, 19 Mar 2023

[ifindedout]

Driver wasn't licensed in Sunday crash that killed 5 kids on the Hutchinson River Parkway

The young people were all from Derby, Connecticut, according to the Westchester County Executive's office.

www.lohud.com

Five people, ages 8 to 17, who died in early Sunday's Hutchinson River Parkway crash were in an SUV driven by a 16-year-old who did not have a Connecticut or New York driver's license or permit, officials said Monday.

They are from Derby, Connecticut, according to a statement from the Westchester County Executive's Office that identified the five who died as driver Malik Smith, 16; Anthony Billips Jr., 17; Zahnyiah Cross, 12; Shawnell Cross, 11; and Andrew Billips, 8.

The one survivor, 9-year-old Abraham Billips, was taken to Westchester Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He had apparently been riding in a rear hatchback/cargo area and escaped through the back of the vehicle, officials said.

From Fox5 (BBM):

5 Connecticut children killed in fiery crash on Hutchinson River Parkway

A 9-year-old boy was the only survivor in a fiery crash on a New York highway that killed five children, police said.

www.fox5ny.com

The driver, 16-year-old Malik, was unlicensed, driving at the 55mile per hour speed limit. Because there were no brake marks, investigators believe he was either distracted or asleep at the time of the crash, failing to turn with the curve of the parkway.

A toxicology report is still pending and investigators aren’t sure if the children were wearing seatbelts inside the rented car due to the severity of the flame.

I couldn't find the exact location where the car went off the road, but it was around Exit 13B (formerly 23N), northbound Mamaroneck Avenue. The exits on the parkway were renumbered in 2021.

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I have driven the "Hutch" many times, and it is not for the faint of heart, or the inexperienced. Much has been done to improve ramp geometry and sight lines, but it was built long before the Interstate system, for cars only, and many deficiencies remain. MOO

 

[PrairieWind]

My goodness, this is horrible!!! Unlicensed driver, car full of kids, rental car...... so many questions.

 

[kaen]

I drive this section of the road nearly every day. So sad. I am confused why they would be driving a rented vehicle (according to Latimer, County Executive) at such a young age.

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

sounds like they were all related, siblings even?

 

[ifindedout]

I drive this section of the road nearly every day. So sad. I am confused why they would be driving a rented vehicle (according to Latimer, County Executive) at such a young age.

Or where they were going/coming that they needed to drive. Derby has a station on Metro-North's Waterbury Branch.
ETA: although the branch is hardly the frequency of the New Haven Line, service improved greatly in 2022, with 6 round trips on weekends, last train leaving Grand Central at 10:06 PM for connection at Bridgeport at 11:45.

 

[realanastasia]

Driver, 16, in NY crash that killed 5 Derby children did not have permit or license, official says

Westchester County Police identified the five Derby children, ranging in age from 8 to...

www.ctinsider.com

"The children were in a 2021 Nissan Rogue that was rented to one of Smith's family members, but it was not clear how the teen was given access to the vehicle, Latimer said. Criminal charges could be filed depending on what the investigation into the accident reveals, said Terrance Raynor, commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety.

Latimer said authorities believe Smith was "either distracted or fell asleep" behind the wheel. He said it was unclear based on the scene if any of the occupants were wearing seat belts.

Latimer said the cause of death for each of the children was blunt-force trauma.

[...]

A witness saw the crash and stopped, helping Abraham Billips as a police officer tried to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, Latimer said. The Good Samaritan put the 9-year-old in their car and called his mother. The phone call was the first time the family learned about the crash, according to Raynor. "

Ironic that the sole survivor was the child riding in the part of the vehicle that is NOT intended to hold passengers. Given other news reports that said some of the family had just recently moved from NYC to CT, I wonder if the adults in the family had accompanied moving vans or packed up the family vehicles and headed north earlier and told the kids to follow later in the rented vehicle. Regardless of the details, it's an awful tragedy for all involved. Kudos to the brave Good Samaritan who helped the surviving child.

 

[Deleted member 306806]

The father had words for some reporters. It does not seem to be moving related, as stated in another post. I also think the age to rent a car is high - something like 25.

White Plains, NY officials identify CT children killed in weekend crash

Five children, all from Derby, CT, were killed in a car crash in Scarsdale, NY on Sunday morning.

www.wfsb.com

“…spoke to the driver’s father, whose name is also Malik Smith. Smith told CBS that his son did not have a license or a learner’s permit. He said he told him repeatedly not to get behind the wheel.”

“The father told CBS New York that his son was good in school, loved basketball, and loved his cousins. Every weekend, Malik Smith said his son traveled to Connecticut with his young cousins.

“Nice family, well-mannered children, respectful,” said Sarita Vargas of Derby.”

 

[ifindedout]

The father had words for some reporters. It does not seem to be moving related, as stated in another post. I also think the age to rent a car is high - something like 25.

RSBM
It's actually 18, although rental companies can tack on a surcharge for renters under 25, and IMHO, the surcharge would be especially hefty in NYC. From the NYS AG's office, quote from section Age Discrimination Prohibited:
Car rental companies in New York are required to rent to licensed drivers who are 18 years of age or older. However, they may charge a surcharge for drivers who are under 25. The amount of the surcharge can vary substantially from one car rental company to another, so shop around.

Car Rental Tip Sheet | New York State Attorney General

ag.ny.gov

21 in Connecticut according to Enterprise Rent-a-Car: Rental Car Age Requirements by State | Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Of course, it's all academic since the driver was under 18 and lacked even a permit....

 

[cuffem]

5 kids killed in crash were from family being monitored by child welfare agencies: officials

Five children, all related, died in the New York parkway car crash, including the unlicensed driver. A 9-year-old survived.

www.pennlive.com

 

[Hippiemomof5]

What a tragedy.

 

[PrairieWind]

"Investigators piecing together the accident are still trying to figure out why six minors — a 9-year-old boy survived — were in the rented SUV without adult supervision when the vehicle veered off a winding section of the Hutchinson River Parkway in Scarsdale early Sunday and crashed into a large rock and a tree before bursting into flames."

I wonder what the parents have had to say. What has the 9 year old that survived told law enforcement?

 

[cuffem]

Four siblings killed in fiery New York parkway crash had long history of panhandling, angry relatives tell the News: (EXCLUSIVE)

The four siblings killed in a fiery New York parkway crash along with their unlicensed teenage cousin had a long history of panhandling across at least three states, heartbroken angry relatives and neighbors tell the Daily News. Investigators suspect, in fact, they were out begging the day they...

www.yahoo.com

This article states the 4 children had a history of being sent out to panhandle for their polyamorous parents. They had been sent out that day along with their cousin to panhandle and why they were so far away from home.

 

[Eloise]

Poor kids sounds like it wasn't their choice at all. What a tragedy

I hope the 9 year old survivor has somewhere safe to go