Justice for Tamika Richards: Driver Arrested in Deadly Coney Island Crash!
A man has been taken into custody over a year after a tragic hit-and-run in Coney Island claimed the life of a mother and injured her teenage son.
The incident happened just before 9 p.m. on March 3, 2023. Police report that 41-year-old Tamika Richards and her 18-year-old son were crossing Mermaid Avenue at 24th Street when the driver of a red truck struck them. Instead of stopping to help, the driver fled the scene, leaving Richards and her son seriously injured.
Richards was rushed to a local hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries. Her son survived and was treated for hip and wrist injuries.
On Wednesday morning, authorities arrested 33-year-old Mitchell Maldonado, a resident of Vermont, in Brooklyn. Maldonado now faces multiple charges, including leaving the scene of an accident and failing to yield to pedestrians.
Richards’ death left a profound impact on her family and the Coney Island community. She was a devoted mother of six who was described as protective and selfless. According to witnesses, in her final moments, Richards put her life on the line to save her son.
“She ran to grab her son because he was in front of her. She was very protective of her children,” said Donald Folks, Richards’ father, during an interview with CBS News New York shortly after the crash.
The intersection where the tragedy occurred has long been considered dangerous by residents. Witnesses and neighbors have voiced concerns about reckless drivers who ignore traffic lights.
“The cars don’t wait for the lights. They’ll fly through here just like crazy,” one neighbor said.
The arrest brings some relief to Richards’ family, who had been waiting for justice for over a year. The charges against Maldonado highlight the serious consequences of leaving the scene of an accident, especially one that results in a fatality.
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