Exclusive: Two pedestrians struck minutes apart in Babylon and Medford; both incidents caught on camera
Suffolk County police say a 54-year-old man was making a left turn from Ralph Avenue onto Park Avenue around 8:30 a.m. when he hit a 68-year-old woman in the crosswalk.
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Two pedestrians, including a crossing guard on duty, were hit in separate crashes just minutes apart Tuesday morning in Babylon and Medford, according to Suffolk police.
Both incidents were captured on surveillance video obtained exclusively by News 12.
The first crash happened around 8:30 a.m. at the intersection of Park and Ralph avenues in Babylon. Video shows a woman walking two young children in a wagon through the crosswalk when a driver making a left turn strikes her.
Police say the 54-year-old driver hit the 68-year-old woman, who neighbors say is a local grandmother walking her grandchildren to Babylon Grade School. She managed to push the children’s wagon out of the way before the impact. She was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Amanda Gambino, who lives at the intersection, says her cameras captured the collision.
“If there was a stop sign there, it would definitely be safer for our community,” Gambino said. “On weekends kids go to soccer across the street and there is no crossing guard at that time.”
Safety advocates say the Babylon crash, and others like it, underline a larger problem.
“Speeding cars are a major problem here on Long Island, we have documented that over and over,” said Janine Logan of Walk Safe Long Island.
About 30 minutes after the Babylon crash, a crossing guard was hit in Medford while helping a pedestrian cross Wave Avenue near Eagle Elementary School. Ring camera video shows the 20-year veteran stepping into the road and raising her stop sign before a driver makes a left turn and strikes her.
“The kids love her,” said Medford resident Jeneen Walker. “She’s wonderful.”
Police say the driver was issued a summons for failure to yield. The Sixth Precinct has since increased patrols during school arrival and dismissal.
News 12 has reached out to the Village of Babylon regarding concerns about adding a stop sign or other traffic-calming measures at Park and Ralph avenues but has not yet heard back as of Wednesday night.
