BATH BEACH, Brooklyn — An 11-year-old girl was killed Thursday afternoon after being struck by a school bus while crossing the street in the Bath Beach neighborhood, according to the New York City Police Department. The tragic incident has left the tight-knit community in mourning and raised renewed concerns about pedestrian safety near busy intersections.
Police identified the victim as Amira Aminova, who was hit just after 3 p.m. while crossing Bath Avenue near 23rd Avenue. Authorities said Aminova was walking within the crosswalk and was only steps away from her home when the collision occurred. Emergency responders rushed her to a nearby hospital, but she suffered severe head and bodily injuries and was later pronounced dead.
Investigators said surveillance video shows Aminova running through the crosswalk as a school bus was making a right turn onto Bath Avenue. The footage appears to show the young girl trying to avoid the bus as it turned. One local resident, Lou Iljaz, described the moment as heartbreaking, saying it looked like Aminova was trying to outrun danger. “It was like if you see a train coming and you try to beat it,” Iljaz told PIX11 News.
Witnesses in the neighborhood said Aminova was well known in the area. A nearby deli worker told reporters that the girl had stopped in the store shortly before the crash to buy chocolate and soda. “She came every day,” the worker said. “She was a good customer, quiet.” Residents described her as a familiar and gentle presence in the community.
Police said the school bus driver, Wawa Aurelus, 62, left the scene following the crash. He was later located and arrested in Brooklyn. According to the NYPD, Aurelus was charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian or cyclist and failure to exercise due care. Authorities noted that while the charges are serious, the incident is currently being treated as an accident.
No criminal charges have been filed at this time, police said, as the investigation continues. Officials are reviewing surveillance footage, witness statements, and other evidence to determine exactly how the crash occurred. The NYPD urged drivers to remain alert, especially near crosswalks and residential areas, as the Bath Beach community continues to grieve the devastating loss of a young life.
