A devastating multi-vehicle accident in Brooklyn claimed the lives of a mother and her two children on Saturday as they crossed the street, leaving a third child in critical condition.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the incident as a “gut-wrenching tragedy” caused by a driver who had no business being behind the wheel. “A mother and her two young children lost their lives, while another child clings to survival. This has shattered a family and left an entire community in mourning,” Tisch told reporters.
The crash occurred just after 1 p.m. on Ocean Parkway near Quentin Road in Midwood. Authorities reported that a total of 10 people, including six children, were transported to various hospitals following the collision.
According to Tisch, the incident began when an Audi rear-ended a Toyota Camry. The 63-year-old Toyota driver sustained minor injuries, along with four passengers: a 35-year-old woman, a four-year-old girl, a five-year-old boy, and a 12-year-old boy.
The impact propelled the Audi into a group of pedestrians in the crosswalk, striking the family before the vehicle flipped over. The 34-year-old mother and her daughters, aged six and eight, were pronounced dead at the scene. Her four-year-old son was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
The Audi’s driver, 32-year-old Mariam Yarimi, was operating the vehicle with a suspended license. Witnesses reported that her car went airborne during the rollover. Emergency responders had to extract Yarimi from the wreckage, and she was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Mayor Adams expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it a “heartbreaking loss” for both the city and the tight-knit Midwood community. “This is a tragedy of unimaginable scale—a mother and her children struck down during a simple walk on a sunny day. We grieve with their loved ones and pray for the recovery of the surviving child,” Adams said.
