80-year-old woman struck and killed by SUV on East Flatbush sidewalk
Friends and family members on scene identified the victim as Yvette James, who lived just down the block from the crash site.
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Police say an SUV fatally struck an 80-year-old woman on the sidewalk in East Flatbush after it made too wide of a right turn going from Rutland Road onto East 92nd Street. The incident happened Friday around 1:30 p.m.
"There was just a loud bang, and I heard everyone screaming and running, " said Akeem Adams, who knew the victim from church.
The car that struck the woman also appeared to have knocked down multiple street signs and damaged the wall of a building.
"Came up the street, and they told me Miss Yvette got hit by a car...," said Adams.
Friends and family members on scene identified the victim as Yvette James, who lived just down the block from the crash site.
"She's very strict, but very wonderful. She was a very nice person," said Kaster Baptiste, who lived across the street from her.
"It's a big loss because she helps everybody around here," agreed Adams.
Most people in the area said they knew James as a volunteer with the food pantry and the nearby Church of God. Pastor Duvil Baugour said she was a regular for nearly 20 years.
"When delivery comes…she's there. Sometimes, even if it comes at 4 a.m….she was a good helper for the program," he said.
According to neighbors, James continued to help even when she was not volunteering.
"If you was hungry, she's giving you a plate of food. If you needed somewhere to stay, she'd make sure you had a home or somewhere to lay your head for the night...she was that type of person," Adams remembered.
According to the NYPD, the 63-year-old woman who was driving the Lexus did stay on the scene. She has not yet been charged. Police are still investigating exactly what led to the crash.
