A seven-year-old boy tragically lost his life after being struck by an NYPD tow truck while crossing the road in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. The incident occurred at the intersection of Myrtle Avenue and North Portland Avenue on Thursday morning at around 7:43 am.

According to NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, the tow truck was making a right turn from Myrtle Avenue onto North Portland Avenue when it collided with the young boy as he was crossing the street with his mother. Despite the immediate response from emergency responders, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

Eyewitnesses recount that the driver of the tow truck appeared to be attempting to beat a yellow light just before the collision occurred. One witness, Tyrana Carter, witnessed the tragic event and described how the boy was riding a bright green scooter alongside his mother who was pushing another child in a stroller. Carter recalled that the truck hit the boy, rolling over him in the process.

The devastated mother, in a state of shock and anguish, reportedly chased after the tow truck, screaming that the driver had taken the life of her child. The entire community was deeply affected by the horrifying incident, as witnesses express their grief and sorrow.

An investigation into the collision is currently underway to determine the exact circumstances of the incident. The 54-year-old female driver of the tow truck, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, remained at the scene after witnesses flagged her down a block away from the accident.

Chief Maddrey visited the site of the collision, accompanied by several teachers from the victim's school, emphasizing the gravity of the tragedy. The community mourns the loss of the young boy, who was described as lively and full of energy.

According to safety advocacy group Transportation Alternatives, this incident marks the 73rd pedestrian fatality in the city this year. The exact legal consequences for the tow truck driver remain unclear at this point in the investigation.

This devastating incident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for continued efforts in protecting pedestrians, particularly young children, from such tragic accidents.