Vermont Truck Driver Arrested in Fatal Hit-and-Run of Brooklyn Mother Who Died Saving Her Son

Brooklyn Mother Killed in Tragic Coney Island Hit-and-Run

A tragic incident unfolded in Coney Island when 41-year-old Tamika Richards was fatally struck by a pickup truck while shielding her teenage son from harm. The incident occurred on March 3, 2023, and has led to the arrest of 33-year-old Mitchell Maldonado from Burlington, Vermont, who faces multiple charges including leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

Richards and her 18-year-old son, Rayquan Parker, were crossing Mermaid Ave. when Maldonado’s vehicle came barreling towards them. In a courageous act, Richards jumped in front of her son, urging the driver to stop. Rayquan recalled the harrowing moment, stating that his mother took the brunt of the impact. Tragically, Richards could not be saved despite the efforts of EMS.

In the aftermath, Rayquan sustained serious injuries, particularly to his pelvis, impacting his mobility. Family members shared how he is now undergoing rehabilitation in hopes of regaining full movement.

For nearly a year, the NYPD Highway Patrol investigated the hit-and-run, eventually leading to a grand jury indictment against Maldonado, who was captured after serving a 13-year prison sentence for burglary in Vermont. He was transported to New York and held without bail following his arraignment.

Richards left behind six children and was a dedicated mother, celebrated for her unyielding support for her family and community. Her sisters have initiated a petition to honor her memory by renaming the intersection where the tragedy occurred to “Tamika Ashika Richards Way.” As the community rallies to remember her courageous act, they express their profound loss and gratitude for her legacy as a protector and loving mother.

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