Yoel Jacobowitz, 9, was killed after being struck by a private yeshiva bus in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on May 1 at about 8:15 a.m. The 49-year-old driver initially left the scene but later returned after being waved down. City Council member Lincoln Restler said the boy was in the driver’s blind spot. Neighbors and officials highlighted that the nearby five-way intersection is under construction and lacks clear crosswalks, prompting calls for urgent safety upgrades.
9-Year-Old Boy Fatally Struck By Private Yeshiva Bus in Williamsburg; Driver Initially Left Scene
Members of the Orthodox Jewish community gather after Yoel Jacobowitz was fatally struck by a bus on May 1, 2026Credit: abc7
A 9-year-old boy, Yoel Jacobowitz, was fatally struck by a private yeshiva school bus while crossing the street in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, on the morning of May 1.
The collision occurred at approximately 8:15 a.m. as the bus turned from Lee Avenue onto Lorimer Street, according to the New York City Police Department and a news release shared by City Council member Lincoln Restler. Jacobowitz was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the crash.
The intersection of Lee Avenue and Lorimer Street in Brooklyn, New York,Credit: Google
Investigators said the bus driver, a 49-year-old man, initially drove away from the location but returned after a bystander waved him down and explained what had happened. Restler, who visited the scene, said Jacobowitz had been in the driver’s blind spot when he was struck.
“This is just a tragedy. I have no words,”
Restler said, adding he was heartbroken for the family and the Williamsburg community.
Residents described the intersection as chaotic. The collision happened at a five-way junction that has recently been under construction; Restler and neighbors noted it currently lacks clear crosswalks and visible street markings, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements from the city Department of Transportation.
New York City Police Department vehicle (stock image)Credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty
Local resident Rosa Baez told ABC 7, "I'm sorry for the mother. I'm a mother too. I was very careful. I feel very bad." Another resident described the area as having heavy foot and vehicle traffic, saying it needs clearer guidance and protections for pedestrians.
Hours after the crash, Mayor Zohran Mamdani posted on social media that he was devastated by the loss. "My heart is with his family and loved ones as they endure this tragic loss," he wrote, calling the death "a horrific road death" and urging use of every available tool to make city streets safer for children.
What officials say: City authorities, community leaders and residents have called for expedited safety measures at the intersection while the NYPD continues its investigation into the collision.
Note: This report includes details made public by police, city officials and local media. Investigations are ongoing and additional information may emerge.
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