Molly Murphy Donovan Obituary: On Thursday morning, a tragic incident occurred outside Mamaroneck Avenue School on Mamaroneck Avenue near New Street. A school bus struck a kindergartner and his mother while they were walking to school. The young boy, Michael Donovan, aged 6, was pronounced dead at the scene, while his mother, Molly Murphy Donovan, aged 43, was taken to the hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.
Witnesses recounted the heartbreaking scene of the mother desperately calling out for the bus to stop. One witness, Nick Zamora, expressed his sorrow at seeing the child’s lunch box, school bag, and scattered pencils, knowing that he had been looking forward to a day at school which tragically turned out to be his last.
According to the initial investigation by the police, the school bus was traveling eastbound from New Street and had a green light when it turned left onto Mamaroneck Avenue. At that moment, there were several parents and children crossing the street at the designated crosswalk with the walk sign.
The driver of the bus, a 68-year-old man, is cooperating with the authorities, and it appears to be a tragic accident. Currently, no charges have been filed against him. However, it remains unclear why the bus driver did not yield to the pedestrians. Concerned parents have long been requesting a crossing guard at the intersection, emphasizing that this devastating incident could have been prevented.
The bus was on its way to Mamaroneck Avenue School at the time of the collision. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported among the students and the aide who were onboard.
In response to this heartbreaking event, the community has initiated a petition on Change.org to advocate for improved pedestrian safety around the school. The police, along with the Village of Mamaroneck officials, are collaborating with Westchester County to investigate and implement measures to enhance pedestrian and traffic safety at the intersection.
