79-year-old woman struck and killed by SUV on East Flatbush sidewalk
The woman has now been identified by police as Yvette James, according to police.
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Police say an SUV fatally struck a 79-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.
The woman has now been identified by police as Yvette James, according to police.
"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 say James 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.
