Monsey, NY - 9-Year-Old Boy Struck by Van Passes Away

MONSEY — A 9-year-old boy died early today of injuries he suffered when he was hit by a van and fell on Sunday while crossing the street to catch a school bus, Ramapo police said.

Moshe Gruber, who lives on Decatur Avenue, likely died of head injuries from the 8:38 a.m. accident along Maple Avenue, Detective Lt. Mark Emma said.

Police were called between 3:30 and 3:45 a.m. today about the boy's death by the Westchester Medical Center.

The initial police investigation found Moshe ran into the street at Decatur Avenue to cross to the other side for his school bus. He ran in front of a 1998 GMC van driven by Herman Gelbman, 63, of New Square and was hit, Emma said.

Gelbman was driving east while the school bus was heading west toward Spring Valley and planned to pick up students at Decatur Avenue, a border street with Spring Valley.

Emma said the investigation found that Gelbman drove in his lane and was not speeding.

While the school bus had just turned on its yellow lights and was slowing down, Gelbman was not required to stop, Emma said. Drivers must stop when school buses flash their red lights.

Emma said the child apparently ran in front Gelbman's van after leaving his sister and running for the school bus.

The bus driver later told officers that he was slowing down to make a scheduled pickup, police said.

"They both are at a point of no return, so to speak," Emma said. "The boy sees the bus and steps right in front of the van. He's knocked down to the curb or street."

Emma said the Westchester Medical Examiner's Office will determine if the head injury caused his death.

The boy's body will not undergo an autopsy for religious reasons, but the medical examiner can still take X-rays, Emma said.

Orthodox Judaism forbids autopsies and separating body parts and fluids from the body. In potential criminal cases, some form of autopsy is allowed but usually after judicial decision.

Police will inspect Gelbman's car, Emma said.

Hatzolah Ambulance Corps treated Moshe at the scene and took him to the medical center in Valhalla.

The Ramapo Police Accident Investigation Unit is conducting an investigation.

Such accidents are all too familiar to residents living in the densely populated neighborhoods off Route 45.

In August, a 2-year-old girl was killed when she darted out onto Clinton Lane in front of a minivan driven by a neighbor.

Another 2-year-old girl died on April 15 after being struck by a car in the parking lot of the New Square Supermarket on Jefferson Avenue.