Kensington Teen Killed By Hit-And-Run Driver, Local Woman Charged: NYPD
A hit-and-run driver killed 14-year-old Mohammad ‘Naiem’ Uddin, who was walking home from school when he was struck at Caton Avenue and East 7th Street at 5:05pm Thursday evening, police and published reports said.
Naiem, who lived less than a couple blocks from the accident and who the Daily News reported was a intellectually gifted freshman at Brooklyn Technical High School, was struck by a Chevy Impala that was traveling westbound on Caton Avenue and making a left hand turn onto East 7th Street. He was rushed to Maimonides Hospital, where the Daily News said “doctors desperately performed emergency surgery for his massive head trauma” but were unable to save him. The boy died at about 10pm, according to police.
Lynn Reynolds, 78, who police said resides on Ocean Parkway, just around the corner from the accident, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident, violation of highway law, failure to exercise due care, and right of way violation, according to the NYPD.
Family members who spoke to the Daily News described Naiem as an incredibly gifted boy who was an inspiration to family and friends.
“He was the smartest person I knew,” said Naiem’s cousin Maruf Uddin. “He was an incredible person. He was loved by everyone. I just can’t believe this happened.
“The hardest thing is now his little brother doesn’t have him to look up to. He doesn’t have a role model anymore. It’s just terrible,” Uddin said of Naiem’s 4-year-old brother. He also has a college-age sister.
Family and friends described Naiem as a low-key teen whose smarts were accompanied by an artistic passion.
“He was really into photography, he was always talking about his photography classes,” said Naiem’s best friend, Mubeen Alam, 16. “He was quiet, you would talk and he would listen and kind of assess you.”
A number of neighbors have reached out to us about help for Naiem’s family. If anyone knows of any way the community can support them at this time, please let us know. You can comment below or email us at editor@ditmasparkcorner.com.
We send our deepest condolences to Naiem’s family and friends.
Photo by Julee Whalin