Mamaroneck community mourning mother Molly Donovan, son Michael Donovan Volpe killed in school bus accident
MAMARONECK, N.Y. -- A Westchester County community is mourning a mother and child killed Thursday while walking to school.
Molly Donovan, 43, and 6-year-old Michael Donovan Volpe were struck by a school bus and killed Thursday morning as they were crossing Mamaroneck Avenue.
Grandfather says Michael Donovan Volpe was "a blessing"
Thomas Volpe Sr., who lives on Long Island, says his 6-year-old grandson Michael Donovan Volpe loved all things with wheels.
Toy vehicles were among the candles and flowers left at a memorial at the accident scene Friday.
"He was the purest love I've ever known. He was a blessing," Volpe said.
Police say at the time of the accident, Donovan and her son were in the crosswalk with the right-of-way, but a bus driver turning left somehow didn't see them.
"How could that be? How could that be? He's a bus driver," Volpe said.
"You're trying to understand?" Aiello asked.
"No, I'm not trying to understand. I'm in disbelief ... There were other people in the crosswalk. How could you not see them?" Volpe said.
Friends were "in awe" of Molly Donovan
Mamaroneck resident Caitlin Browne reached out to CBS New York on behalf of Donovan's friends.
Browne says Donovan was a single mother who worked two jobs, as a lawyer and an interior designer, and was an active participant at her son's school.
"We were always in awe of Molly and her creativity. She made everything around her beautiful and extra special, and she gave Mikey the most full life imaginable," Browne wrote. "Not only did Molly work tirelessly to give Mikey a wonderful life, but she did the same for her friends and school community. Molly always went above and beyond for others, and she will be deeply missed."
Donovan's friends say their hearts break for her family, who she and Michael were close to.
"As Molly's friends and fellow moms, we were truly blessed to call Molly a friend and our thoughts and prayers are with her and Mikey's family at this time and always," Browne wrote.
Criminal charges unlikely in deadly Mamaroneck crash, police say
Students were on the bus at the time of the accident, but no one on the bus was injured.
Police say the bus driver -- a 68-year-old man -- cooperated with investigators. The review continues, but criminal charges are unlikely.
The accident happened less than two blocks from Michael's school, Mamaroneck Avenue Elementary School, which has grief counseling available for students and staff.
The village says a crossing guard will be posted at the intersection for the few remaining days of school, and safety improvements are being studied.
