BREAKING: A tragic accident has claimed the life of 14-year-old Jayden Flores after he was struck by an SUV while riding his e-bike to school in North Bellmore this morning. The collision occurred around 7 a.m. near the intersection of Alice and Bellmore avenues, sending shockwaves through the community.
According to police reports, Jayden was on his way to Mepham High School when the incident took place. A nearby homeowner, who heard the crash, rushed outside and found Jayden lying on her front lawn. She attempted to perform CPR, describing the moment as a “parent’s worst nightmare.”
“I felt his pulse, and I know, as a mother, that I had to do everything I could to try,” she recounted, highlighting the desperate situation. Despite her efforts and the fact that Jayden was wearing a helmet, he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a local hospital.
Jayden’s mother, Tania Salazar, expressed her disbelief at the loss. “How can this be possible? He always respected the light,” she said, questioning the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not yet determined who had the right of way at the time of the collision, as they continue their investigation into the incident.
The driver of the SUV, a 45-year-old local resident, remained at the scene, and no charges have been filed as of yet. The community is mourning the loss of a young life, with the Bellmore-Merrick School District activating its crisis response team to provide support to grieving classmates and staff.
Nassau County law stipulates that e-bike riders must be at least 16 years old. Jayden had recently moved to the area from Queens, and his untimely death raises serious concerns about road safety for young cyclists in the community.
The emotional impact of this incident has reverberated throughout North Bellmore. Residents are left grappling with the reality that such tragedies can occur, despite their best efforts to teach children about street safety. “You can’t protect your kids every single day of their life,” the homeowner reflected. “You just pray to God that they’re safe.”
As the investigation unfolds, community members are calling for more awareness and safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The heartbreaking loss of Jayden Flores serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities young people face on the roads today.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow this developing story and provide updates on the investigation and community response.
