Mother, toddler traffic death prompts 'urgent action' safety demand in Mamaroneck

An online petition includes increasing the use of crossing guards, changing the traffic light pattern and reducing speed limits in the area where this crash happened.

Melanie Palmer

Jul 8, 2024, 10:29 PM

Updated 171 days ago

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There's an urgent call to improve pedestrian safety in Mamaroneck. It comes nearly three weeks after a 6-year-old boy and his mom were hit and killed by a smaller school bus while they were walking to school.
The crash happened at the corner of Mamaroneck Avenue and New Street on June 20.
Six-year-old Michael and his mom Molly Murphy Donovan were crossing the street when they were hit and killed by a smaller school bus, according to officers. Police initially said the two were using the crosswalk and did have a walk sign. Police also noted the driver of the school bus had a green light to turn.
Police are calling this a tragic accident. The school bus driver hasn't been charged.
The devastation though has sparked strong reaction from the community with people pushing village leaders to enhance pedestrian safety.
That includes increasing the use of crossing guards, changing the traffic light pattern and reducing speed limits in the area where this crash happened.
An online petition has been created to address these concerns
People in the community tell News 12 they want to see these new safety measures implemented before the start of the next school year.
County leaders tell News 12 they take these concerns seriously and are taking an active interest in doing what they can to make this stretch of road safer.
A village board meeting was held Monday evening. The village said it wants to work with the county to make safety improvements as soon as possible.
This includes improving the side streets off Mamaroneck Avenue, repainting crosswalks and replacing green lights with yellow arrows so drivers will yield. It also says it wants to improve streets near schools.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer says it's also something the county is actively concerned about and they want to help however they can.
The county and village plan to meet again next Monday.