BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: In a heart-wrenching incident that has stirred public outrage, a 7-year-old boy, Kamari Hampton, lost his life after being struck by an NYPD tow truck while en route to school with his mother.
The tragic incident unfolded in Brooklyn, precisely at the intersection of North Portland and Myrtle Avenue in Fort Greene, as per CBS News.
Surveillance footage captured moment Kamari Hampton was struck down
Surveillance footage captured the horrific moment when young Kamari Hampton, riding a scooter, was struck down on the crosswalk. The tow truck, belonging to the NYPD, didn't halt immediately after the collision, which left witnesses in shock and disbelief.
Antwon Hayes, an eyewitness, expressed his anguish, "I'm devastated. I was coming to get my baby's breakfast this morning and the tow truck hit that little boy. He had a crosswalk. He was coming through the crosswalk, he had the right of way, on a scooter."
Despite attempts by bystanders to intervene, it was tragically too late for Kamari.
Conflicting accounts emerged concerning the actions of the tow truck driver. While the NYPD initially stated that the driver stopped immediately at the scene, several witnesses contradicted this claim.
"She hit that little boy and kept going. I had to tell the housing workers to stop her, from her to keep going. The mother's screaming hysterically, 'They killed my baby!'" recounted Hayes.
Witnesses on the scene reported that the driver was allegedly using her cellphone, driving at excessive speed, and had run a red light, intensifying the public's outrage and calls for accountability.
Internet voices grief and outrage in wake of Kamari Hampton's death
The news of young Kamari Hampton's tragic death has sparked a surge of emotions on social media, with many expressing their condolences and frustrations.
In response to the incident, one user on X passionately declared, "They're always running red lights, often on their phones," highlighting a common concern about reckless driving.
Another user simply described the situation as "horrible," while a third expressed their feelings succinctly, stating, "Awful."
Sympathy and condolences were also prevalent, with one person conveying, "My condolences to the child's family and friends. RIP to this precious life."
The gravity of the incident left another internet user exclaiming, "Wow, that's horrible."
New York City officials call for safer streets and accountability
Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris pointed out the dire situation, stating, "Because of decisions being made by this administration that are withholding street safety projects, it means that beautiful child will never come home again."
He lamented the delay in street safety plans by the Adams administration.
Statistics provided by Transportation Alternatives reveal that Kamari's case marks the 103rd instance of a child being killed in a traffic crash since 2014, underlining the pressing need for enhanced safety measures on the city's streets.
New York City Council Member Crystal Hudson emphasized the importance of accountability, saying, "We have to hold the NYPD accountable the same way we expect to hold every other New Yorker accountable for obeying traffic laws."
Residents in the Fort Greene neighborhood expressed their concerns about the intersection's safety, noting the absence of crossing guards. Shawneke Pass, a concerned parent, stated, "I'm just a parent in this area, but we've had so many conversations regarding safety for our students while they walk to school."
As a somber tribute to Kamari, balloons were released, and a growing memorial at the intersection saw residents paying their respects.
