Woman Struck, Killed By Alleged Drunk Driver In The Bronx
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Tragedy struck a Bronx family this weekend, when a mother of twin toddlers was hit and killed while crossing an intersection.
As CBS 2's Janelle Burrell reported, police said the man behind the wheel was driving drunk.
The family of the victim, Nydja Herring, 32, said she was simply going to the corner store to run errands for the toddlers.
Herring's husband, Kashim Mitchell, was almost too shocked for words Sunday morning. His wife was taken from the family in an instant just yards away from their Bronx apartment.
"She went to the store to get something for my two little nephews, who are 2 years old, that this driver took away from my family," said Kareem Mitchell said, the victim's brother-in-law.
Kareem Mitchell witnessed the crash, 1010 WINS' Roger Stern reported.
"I basically saw the accident happen, but didn't even know that that was my sister-in-law until a little later after the fact," he said.
Nydja's father Bryant has not been able to stop his tears, CBS 2's Janelle Burrell reported.
"When I looked at the car I said, 'he plowed into her' because the hwole front of that car is demolished," he said.
The incident happened just before 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Police said the driver – Augustus Jenkins, 28 – was traveling east on East Tremont Avenue.
Police said Herring was crossing from the north side of the street to the south side when Jenkins hit her. The dented hood and shattered windshield showed the powerful force of the impact.
"I basically saw the accident happen, but didn't even know that that was my sister in law until a little after the fact," Kareem Mitchell said.
Herring was unconscious and died by the time she was rushed to a hospital. She had been running an errand for her two twin boys a half a block away from her apartment.
Residents say the neighborhood is no stranger to fatal accidents.
"A couple years back three people died," Miguel Febus said, "It's just crazy, chaotic. All day going up and down."
Police said Jenkins, of the Orange County municipality of Montgomery, was driving with a suspended license. He allegedly had three passengers in his car – including a 4-year-old and a 10-year-old boy.
Herring's family was angry that anyone could be so reckless. They were trying to figure out how to tell the twins their mother will not be coming home.
"My nephews are saying, 'Where's mommy? Where's mommy?'" Kareem Mitchell said. "She was an excellent mother, excellent wife to my brother, like, best sister in law. I'm totally hurt."
Before she died Herring had planned to donate a kidney to her ailing mother. Her father said that she was a perfect match.
The family had just found a new home in the Poconos where they had planned to build a new life.
Augustus Jenkins was facing charges including aggravated driving while intoxicated. He was not injured.
The driver may also be charged under Leandra's Law, since there were children in the car.
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