News12 New York
N12 Originals
Numbers & Links
Local
Crime
Weather
Taxing Long Island
Vote 2026: Long Island elections
60°
Local
Crime
Weather
Taxing Long Island
Vote 2026: Long Island elections

12-year-old recounts moment he, his grandmother were hit by SUV

The Caruso family said the accident has also taken a financial toll on them.

Thema Ponton

Mar 11, 2024, 10:23 PM

Updated

Share:

Twelve-year-old Giovanni Caruso told News 12 he has nightmares about when he and his 69-year-old grandmother, Maryann, were hit by an SUV while crossing Fulton and Main streets in Farmingdale last December.

"She got hit first and then I heard a scream before I got hit...all the sudden I looked to my left and grandma wasn't there anymore, like I would think that grandma would be right there, like I didn't know she was dragged," he says.

As News 12 reported, the 69-year-old was dragged for several blocks down Fulton Street.

"I don't think she'll ever be the same to be honest with you, you know physically, emotionally, it's been like hell for her." said her son, Stephen Caruso.

He also said her injuries were so severe, her skull was left exposed and the skin on her back, legs and foot came almost completely off.

"She's still in pain." Caruso said.

Giovanni suffered a collapsed lung after being hit and had to be airlifted to Cohen Children's Medical Center.

Since getting hit crossing the street, he now takes the bus to school.

"I haven't crossed that street since it happened." said Giovanni.

As News 12 reported in December, Nassau police said the 80-year-old driver of the SUV was making a right turn onto Fulton Street when she hit Giovanni and his grandmother.

Police confirmed to News 12 on Monday that no charges were filed against the driver.

"I'm not really happy about that...she's claiming to have not known she hit them, and I just find that impossible you know...to be able to get away with that," said Stephen Caruso.

Caruso and his son are leaning on each other for support on their family's long road to recovery.

"Hopefully, be less nervous of crossing the street and stuff, all I really hope for is for grandma to get better." said Giovanni.

The Caruso family said the accident has also taken a financial toll on them.

They set up a GoFundMe to help with expenses.

Top Stories

02:23
LIseelig8921_2026-09-21-08-15-10

Yom Kippur brings heightened security to Long Island synagogues

01:49
today

Cooler, cloudy skies and unsettled weather for Long Island

00:22
HicksvilleCrash921_2026-09-21-05-32-19

1 person injured after slamming into a tree in Hicksville

01:58
LIVote921_2026-09-21-05-56-46

Long Island voters to face unusually crowded ballot as many local elections move to even years

00:26
NICEBusPilot921_2026-09-21-06-32-33

NICE Bus launches new pilot service for on-demand south shore residents

00:29
NYULangone921_2026-09-21-06-04-12

NYU Langone to end pediatric gender-affirming care following DOJ investigation 

01:39
LImadeon921_2026-09-21-05-57-39

Made on Long Island: Walk Your Plans Long Island LLC

00:28
Screenshot 2026-09-21 054947

Traffic to crawl through Manhattan as UN General Assembly brings year's worst gridlock

02:05
9212026WCtara_2026-09-21-05-42-35

Booking holiday travel? Why you and your family may see different flight prices

01:23
RTLIMineolaArsonArrestJRGaertner10pm_2026-09-20-22-06-57

Mineola man arrested for throwing chemical mixture that ignited into an apartment hallway fire

01:21
li5pmbolmiddleisland_2026-09-20-17-43-42

Middle Island nursing assistant arraigned on forcible touching charge

00:42
LI WEEKEND 5PM SUNDAY_20092026_174123_subclip_2026-09-20-18-11-35

LI Ducks gearing up for Atlantic League Championship

02:10
li5pmbolesenhopwerpark911_2026-09-20-17-07-25

Nassau County honors fallen firefighters with expanded 9/11 memorial

00:32
Ernie Accorsi

Ernie Accorsi, Hall of Fame NFL executive and former Giants GM, dies at 84

00:44
li12pmbolhlenkeller5k_2026-09-20-12-26-04

Annual Helen Keller 5K in support of the visually impaired

01:18
li5pmboljeremyrobbery_2026-09-19-17-55-43

Man critically injured after reported robbery at South Hempstead gas station

00:47
LImosquitosamplesKK_2026-09-20-06-23-38

Dozen more mosquito samples test positive for West Nile virus in Suffolk County

00:38
li12pmbolhemptsteadhousefire_2026-09-20-12-12-15

House fire leaves 9 people displaced in Hempstead

01:40
RTLILatinoFilmFestivalJRGaertner10pm_2026-09-19-22-23-16

Latino Film Festival returns to the Hamptons to spotlight culture, identity and resilience

01:17
li5pmboljennaraeweatherorchard_2026-09-19-18-22-36

Long Island farmers face weather challenges as fall season begins

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices