Driver in SUV fatally hits 8-year-old in Crown Heights
A 69-year-old driver in a Honda Pilot traveling south hit an 8-year-old boy identified in news reports as Mordica or Mordechai Keller at Albany Avenue and Eastern Parkway, and EMS took him to Kings County Hospital, where he died.
What We Know
Police and city crash records place the crash at 5:33 p.m. on June 28, 2025, at Albany Avenue and Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights. News reports said a 69-year-old man driving a Honda Pilot south on Albany Avenue hit an 8-year-old boy as he crossed the intersection with an older sister. EMS took the child to Kings County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Reports disagree on the spelling of his name, using Mordica Keller and Mordechai Keller. The driver remained at the scene, no arrest had been made, and police were investigating, including whether speed was a factor.
A child was hit while crossing the intersection
The crash was recorded at 5:33 p.m. on June 28, 2025, at Albany Avenue and Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. The city record lists one pedestrian killed and no other injuries.
Police told reporters a 69-year-old man driving a Honda Pilot southbound hit the 8-year-old while he was crossing the intersection. EMS took the child to Kings County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Reports identified the boy and described a family walk
News outlets identified the child with different spellings: the Daily News used Mordica Keller, while News 12 used Mordechai Keller. The Post published versions using both spellings.
Reports said the boy was walking with an older sister. The Post described her as 17, while ABC7 reported she was 18.
The driver was in a Honda SUV
The city crash record lists a 2011 Honda SUV traveling south and going straight ahead before the crash. News reports described the driver as a 69-year-old man in a black Honda Pilot.
Investigators were still examining why it happened
The city crash record lists view obstructed or limited as a contributing factor. ABC7 reported that police were also looking at whether speed was a factor.
Police told several outlets that the driver remained at the scene and that no arrest had been made as the investigation continued.
Neighbors and responders tried to help
News 12 reported that Shaznet Pearson heard the crash and tried to keep people calm while helping the child. “The vision is still in my head it was a traumatic scene,” Pearson said.
News reports described grief in the Crown Heights Chabad community, and said Misaskim, a Jewish aid organization, responded after sundown for religious cleanup.
Where
Albany Ave & Eastern Pkwy, Brooklyn