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Tragic Brooklyn Car Accident Claims Lives of Mother and Two Daughters, Leaving Jewish Community in Mourning
koshersquared in Jewish News
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Tragic Brooklyn Car Accident Claims Lives of Mother and Two Daughters, Leaving Jewish Community in Mourning

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A horrifying car accident in Midwood, Brooklyn, has claimed the lives of a mother and her two young daughters, leaving the tight-knit Orthodox Jewish community in deep mourning. The tragedy occurred on Saturday afternoon, during Shabbat, as the family was walking home from synagogue.

Details of the Accident

The victims were identified as Natasha Saada, 35, and her daughters Diana, 8, and Deborah, 5. Natasha’s 4-year-old son, Phillip, was critically injured and remains hospitalized, fighting for his life. The collision unfolded at around 1 p.m. near Ocean Parkway and Quentin Road when an Audi A3 Sedan, driven by Miriam Yarimi, rear-ended a Toyota Camry operating as an Uber. The impact pushed the Camry aside before the Audi sped forward into a crosswalk where the family was crossing.

Witnesses described the scene as harrowing. One said the sound of the crash was akin to an explosion that seemed to freeze time. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch called it “a horrific tragedy caused by someone who shouldn’t have been on the road.”

The day of the accident was an unusually warm day for March, with temperatures in the 80s, resulting in more people out, compounded by Shabbat being a day when more people are strolling on Ocean Parkway.

Driver Charged with Manslaughter

Miriam Yarimi, 32, was driving with a suspended license at the time of the crash. She has since been charged with multiple offenses, including three counts of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault in the second degree, reckless driving, and other traffic violations. Authorities are investigating whether Yarimi ran a red light and whether speed or possible impairment contributed to the collision.

Yarimi reportedly has a history of traffic violations and was known to operate a wig store in Brooklyn. Her social media presence indicates she is Jewish and actively celebrates Jewish holidays.

Impact on the Community

The accident has devastated Brooklyn’s Orthodox Jewish community. Mayor Eric Adams described it as “a tragic accident of Shakespearean proportion,” highlighting the profound loss felt by both the family and their community. He visited the grieving father at home after the incident; the father had been caring for their infant when he received news of his wife and daughters’ deaths.

The streets of Midwood were filled with families walking home from synagogue when this tragedy struck. First responders were visibly shaken by the scene; one was seen kneeling in grief. Community members have organized prayers and are preparing for funeral services to honor Natasha Saada and her daughters.

Calls for Change

This incident has reignited discussions about road safety enforcement in New York City. Advocates are urging stricter measures to prevent drivers with suspended licenses from operating vehicles. Commissioner Tisch emphasized that Yarimi should not have been behind the wheel.

A Family’s Unimaginable Loss

The Saada family’s story is one of unimaginable grief. The father now faces life without his wife and two daughters while holding out hope for his critically injured son’s recovery. As Brooklyn mourns this devastating loss, many are calling for accountability and change to prevent such tragedies from happening again.

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koshersquared
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