A terrible crash occurred on September 28th, 2020, when 7-year-old Sama Ali was struck and killed by an armored truck while crossing a Brooklyn street with family and friends. Police are investigating the details surrounding this tragedy.
At around 4:10 p.m. on Monday afternoon, Sama was riding her scooter across the crosswalk of Bath Avenue near Bay 23rd Street when a GardaWorld armored truck made a left turn and hit her. The family was on its way home after spending a day at the park.
Sama was rushed to Lutheran Hospital with a police escort but, tragically, could not be saved. Our thoughts are with her loved ones after this horrible accident.
The driver of the GardaWorld truck, an unidentified man in his 40s, remained at the scene of the accident and cooperated with police. He claims he did not see young Sama as she crossed the street. Police do not suspect any criminality, according to an NYPD spokesman.
Employees at the Niles Express Pharmacy on Bath Avenue told reporters they did not hear any horn, screeching tires or yelling when the accident occurred. Upon going outside, they saw a crowd gathering around Sama’s body, which was lying on the crosswalk. A pharmacy employee, 39-year-old Waqar Yousouff, shared that he saw a person, who appeared to be Sama’s father, running toward the scene.
“That was a horrible thing to see. He came running down screaming her name. They wouldn’t let him go all the way over…There was so much blood it was horrific. Her shoe is still there.”
Another worker, Peter Younan, witnessed Sala’s mother’s reaction, saying “The mom, she cried a lot.”
Both pharmacy employees noted that children from the neighboring park and school are regularly in the area.
Armored trucks are large, powerful trucks whose drivers and owners must take safety into account. An investigative report by the Tampa Bay Times shares GardaWorld’s negligent accident record with the public. From February 2014 to July 2016, GardaWorld’s armored trucks were involved in an average of 100 collisions per month. More than 320 people were injured in these accidents at a rate of about one every three days. Data further revealed that Garda had more crashes per mile driven than competitors Brink and Loomis.
By law, trucking companies like GardaWorld are required to follow rules and regulations such as properly maintaining and servicing their vehicles, ensuring their employees are properly trained, and monitoring the amount of time their drivers spend on the road. GardaWorld’s trucks are notoriously poorly maintained. Photos shared by the Tampa Bay Times reveal trucks using bungee cords instead of seat belts, rust, and drivers using rope or zip ties to keep doors shut. Garda’s crash database also noted that 43 drivers had crashed various times, one crashing as many as nine times.
As proven by Monday’s incident, the results of an accident involving an armored truck can be disastrous. Companies that operate such large vehicles must prioritize the safety of others on the road including other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. If the trucking company, truck driver, or another responsible party knowingly ignores safety standards, they can be held liable for accidents caused by their negligent behavior.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, it may be in your best interest to explore your legal options. Severe injuries can be financially, physically, and emotionally catastrophic. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping accident victims obtain compensation for damages caused by negligent parties. Our track record includes a $12,000,000 settlement for a child who was severely injured when two cars collided causing one to jump the sidewalk and strike him.
To speak with one of our skilled attorneys, call our office at 212-736-5300 or fill out our online contact form.