An eight-year-old Flatlands boy was clinging to life Sunday after he was struck by a rampaging SUV and flung into the air, landing atop another car heading in the opposite direction.
Officials said that Ralph Humphrey Nichols, his mother Lisa and his 11-year-old sister Saaid were crossing the corner of Utica Avenue and Avenue H at 11 p.m. on February 8 when both he and his mom were struck by the white Chevrolet Suburban.
One witness, who actually stopped her car to let Lisa and her children cross, told police that she could not believe how fast the SUV was going.
The vehicle never slowed down, cops were told.
Horrified witnesses said that Ralph was knocked into the air several feet. He reportedly landed on the hood of a livery cab heading in the opposite direction on Utica Avenue.
“He [the driver] felt that he got hit, but didn’t know from what,” one police source said. “When he stopped the car, he found a little boy lying next to his vehicle.”
Paramedics rushed Ralph, his mother and sister to Kings County Hospital where the boy was listed in critical condition. His sister and mother were listed in stable condition after treatment.
The driver of the livery cab, identified as 32-year-old Gary Brown of Queens, remained at the scene. Cops ultimately arrested him, but not for striking the child. He was arrested for driving with a suspended license, officials said.
Cops are asking anyone with information regarding this incident or the whereabouts of the speeding SUV to come forward.
Calls can be made to the NYPD CrimeStoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
