Arrest Made in Brooklyn Car Crash That Left Three Dead, Including Two Children
The accused driver has been charged with speeding and manslaughter.
A Deadly Accident
An arrest has been made following a deadly car crash that killed a mother and her two children and left six others injured, including a four-year-old in critical condition.
32-year-old Miriam Yarimi of Midwood in Brooklyn has been arrested and is facing charges of manslaughter (three counts), homicide, assault, reckless driving, speeding, and a slew of other charges following the accident.
Psst… Check Out Hit the Brakes: NYC to Lower Speed Limit in Outer Boroughs
The tragic accident occurred on Saturday, March 29th, along Quentin Road and Ocean Parkway in south Brooklyn. Police responded to multiple calls of a car crash around 12 pm. Yarimi was driving a 2023 Audi when she collided with a Toyota Camry, before continuing down the parkway and crashing into four pedestrians who were crossing the street.
34-year-old Natasha Saada and her two children — 8-year-old Diana Saada, and five-year-old Deborah Saada — were killed by the crash. A four-year-old, who has not been identified, was also struck along with the family as they crossed the street and remains in critical condition; it is unclear if he is related to the Sada family at this time.
The victims of the Toyota Camry included a 63-year-old male, a 12-year-old male, a 4-year-old male, a 35-year-old male, and a 5-year-old male; they were taken toNYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn in stable condition.
“Today we’re here to talk about a tragic, tragic accident of Shakespearean proportion,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams during a press conference. “To see a mother and her two children lost to a vehicle crash is extremely concerning and painful, not only to the city of New York but to a close-knit community. A mother going for a simple stroll on a sunny day was struck and killed. This was a senseless tragedy and we’re praying for all involved.”
The accident comes just shy of two weeks of the city announcing its plans to lower speed limits across the four outer-boroughs, following the passing of Sammy’s Law. According to the Department of Transportation, Brooklyn has the most pedestrian fatalities of any borough, averaging 46 per year. While the number of Brooklyn pedestrian fatalities has declined 49% over the past 30 years, pedestrians continue to constitute more than half of all the borough’s traffic fatalities.
According to Families for Safer Streets, on average, 15 children are killed per year in NYC by vehicles and motor vehicle-related injuries were the leading cause of unintentional injury death among children. In 80% of these deaths, the child was a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle, while research also found that streets are especially dangerous outside schools, particularly where most students are poor or children of color
Navigating NYC Streets
In December, we touched on navigating busy streets in the city with families, with Erica Linn from Mothers Against Drunk Driving providing some important tips and statistics about impaired drivers in the city.
“Impaired driving can impact anyone, anywhere, at any given time, making it nearly impossible to predict when or where a crash might occur,” she explained. “In New York City, the risks are heightened due to its large population, which creates crowded streets with pedestrians, cyclists, and cars all sharing the roads.”
Some tips for staying safe while on foot in the city include:
Staying Alert at Intersections: Even at crosswalks, never assume that vehicles will stop, as impaired drivers may not notice traffic signals or pedestrians. Always make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
Avoiding Distractions: Keep your focus on your surroundings. Avoid looking at your phone or wearing headphones, especially near busy streets.
Choosing Well-Lit Routes: Stick to well-lit sidewalks and crosswalks, particularly at night, to make your family more visible to drivers.
Psst… Check out How to Navigate Busy NYC Streets With Kids and Keep Your Family Safe
