BROOKLYN, NY – A routine afternoon stroll turned into a heartbreaking tragedy on Saturday when a 35-year-old mother and her two young daughters were struck and killed in a catastrophic two-car collision in southern Brooklyn.
The accident, which occurred around 1 p.m., took place at the intersection of Quentin Road and Ocean Parkway, at the border of Gravesend and Midwood. Authorities have confirmed that a 6-year-old and an 8-year-old were among the deceased. The woman’s 4-year-old son, who was also present, was critically injured and transported to Maimonides Medical Center in Borough Park, where he remains in grave condition.
In total, 10 individuals—including six children—were rushed to hospitals following the horrific collision.
The Crash: What Happened?
According to police reports, the deadly accident unfolded when a silver Toyota Camry, carrying two adults and three children, was struck by a blue Audi A3 sedan at the busy intersection.
The 62-year-old driver of the Toyota was attempting to make a right turn onto Ocean Parkway when the Audi, driven by 32-year-old Miriam Yarimi, slammed into the back bumper of his vehicle. The force of the impact propelled the Audi forward, sending it hurtling into the crosswalk, where the mother and her children were walking.
Eyewitnesses reported a chaotic scene, with the Audi flipping over after striking the victims.
Emergency medical teams quickly arrived at the scene, transporting Ms. Yarimi to a hospital in Sunset Park, while the Toyota’s driver was taken to Coney Island Hospital with minor injuries. Other passengers in both vehicles were also treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Driver Had Suspended License and Multiple Violations
While the official cause of the accident remains under investigation, authorities have revealed shocking details about the driver of the Audi.
- Miriam Yarimi was driving on a suspended license.
- The Audi had accumulated $1,345 in traffic violations since December, including multiple tickets for speeding in school zones.
- Investigators are working to determine if speeding, a red-light violation, or intoxication played a role in the crash.
Authorities are also examining whether New York City’s automated speed and red-light cameras, which have been credited with reducing traffic fatalities, were ignored or circumvented by the Audi’s driver.
Officials React: “A Horrific, Preventable Tragedy”
During a news conference on Saturday, Mayor Eric Adams called the event “a tragic, tragic accident of Shakespearean proportion.”
“This is extremely concerning and painful,” he continued. “A mother going for a simple stroll on a sunny day was struck and killed.”
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch did not mince words, calling it a senseless tragedy that should have never happened.
“I will call it like it is: This was a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn’t have been on the road,” she said. “A mother and two young children killed, another child fighting for his life, a family and neighborhood devastated in an instant.”
Community in Mourning
Residents of Gravesend and Midwood have expressed deep grief and outrage following the tragic incident.
Marc Franco, a resident who lives at the corner of Ocean Parkway and Quentin Road, recalled hearing the deafening sound of the crash before running outside to see the devastating aftermath.
“I heard a loud boom, and when I ran out, I saw kids on the ground, people screaming,” Franco said. “It was horrific.”
Traffic Fatalities in NYC: A Growing Concern
So far in 2025, the NYPD has reported 35 traffic-related deaths—a 42% decrease compared to the same period last year. However, pedestrian safety advocates argue that reckless drivers continue to pose a serious threat, especially when enforcement loopholes allow repeat offenders to stay on the road.
In response, the NYPD has launched a crackdown on drivers with obscured license plates—a common tactic used to evade traffic cameras.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are still piecing together the full circumstances of the crash, including whether Yarimi ran a red light or was impaired at the time of the accident. Charges could be forthcoming, pending the outcome of the investigation.
As a family grieves an unimaginable loss and a community reels from the shock, many are left asking: Could this tragedy have been prevented?