Unlicensed Driver Strikes Three Pedestrians, Including Two Children, in Queens

Pedestrian Collision Outside Queens School

• 🚨 A driver, identified as 35-year-old Somata Ba, has been taken into police custody after allegedly losing control of her vehicle and striking three pedestrians outside an elementary school in Queens.
• 📍 The incident occurred around 5:30 PM on Thursday near a charter school on 35th Avenue, during after-school dismissal.
• 👧🏽 The victims include a 58-year-old man and two girls, aged 14 and 7. At least one of the children is believed to attend the school.

Driver's Status and Charges

• 🚫 Police sources indicate that Somata Ba has never held a valid New York driver's license.
• ⚖️ She has been charged with reckless driving and operating a motor vehicle without a license.
• 🏥 Authorities report that all three victims sustained injuries and are currently in stable condition.
  • The 7-year-old suffered a head injury and a broken femur.
  • The 14-year-old and the 58-year-old man both sustained leg injuries.

Community Concerns and Safety Measures

• ⚠️ Parents are urging their children to be extremely cautious during dismissal times due to the chaotic traffic conditions.
• 🏘️ Residents have reported at least two other recent crashes in the vicinity and are calling for increased safety measures.
• 🚧 Some residents expressed a desire for the road to be completely blocked off due to commuters driving recklessly and speeding.
• 🔍 The NYPD is continuing its investigation into how the driver lost control of the car.