NEW YORK — A driver who reportedly… struck and killed a mother of six children on Coney Island was arrested more than a year ago, New York City police said.
Mitchell Maldonado, a 33-year-old Vermont man, was arrested Wednesday morning in Brooklyn, police said.
Police say Tamika Richards, 41, and her 18-year-old son were crossing Mermaid Avenue at 24th Street when they were struck by the driver of a red truck just before 9 p.m. on March 3, 2023. The driver then took off, according to police. to the police.
Richards was taken to a local hospital, where she died. Her son was also taken to a local hospital with hip and wrist injuries.
Maldonado is facing a number of charges, including leaving the scene of an accident and failing to yield to pedestrians.
Mother of six dies after being hit by driver in Coney Island
CBS News New York spoke to Richards’ family days after the fatal crash. They said Richards was the mother of six children.
According to witnesses, Richards jumped in front of her son just before they were hit in an attempt to save him.
“She ran to grab her son because he was in front of her. She was very protective of her children,” said Donald Folks, Richards’ father.
Local residents told CBS News New York at the time that the accident happened at a dangerous intersection.
“The cars don’t wait for the lights. They fly through here like crazy,” said one.
