BROWNSVILLE, Brooklyn (WABC) — Police have identified the child who fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver Thursday as 4-year-old Zachariah Padilla of Brooklyn.
The hit-and-run happened near Rockaway Parkway and Linden Boulevard just after 11 a.m.
Zachariah got away from his mother, ran into the street, was struck by a vehicle and apparently dragged 150 feet by the SUV — right in front of Brookdale University Hospital’s main entrance.
The boy was carried inside the hospital by his mother. He was later pronounced dead.
The driver fled the scene. His white Ford SUV was last seen northbound on Rockaway Parkway.
“You hit a child. You know you hit the child, and you take off? And that is the saddest part of all,” said Brownsville resident, Royston Antoine. “No matter what it is — you hit a child. You stay. Face the consequences. It’s better that you stay, not running because now it’s even worse. Because you hit him, you didn’t care. You run away.”
The intersection of Rockaway Parkway and Linden Boulevard is one of the most dangerous intersections in New York City.
According to city statistics, at least 30 pedestrians have been struck by cars and trucks there in the last four years, alone.
Police have recovered surveillance video of the incident.
No arrests have been made so far.
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