7-Year-Boy Killed By Van Driver After Getting Off School Bus In Far Rockaway

A 7-year-old boy was killed on Wednesday after stepping off a school bus just a few blocks from his home in Far Rockaway, Queens.

According to police, Cameron Brown was crossing Gipson Street near Healey Avenue behind the yellow school bus when he was struck by the driver of a van. He was rushed to St. John's hospital in critical condition, where he was pronounced dead. Both drivers remained at the scene, police said, and an investigation is ongoing.

According to the Daily News, the boy was known affectionately as "Nino," and adored by his family.

"Nino was so smart,” his 19-year-old sister told the outlet. “He wanted to know everything. He was spelling from the moment he could talk. I already knew who was the man of the family. He was good at math, he was on the honor roll. He was on top of everything.”

Brown's death represents at least the 60th pedestrian or cyclist fatality on New York City streets this year—a more than 45 percent increase from this time last year. Pedestrian deaths nationwide are the highest they've been in three decades.

"This crash could have been prevented, but until drivers understand the weight of speeding and illegally passing a school bus, they will act with impunity and continue to put our children in danger," said Joseph Cutrufo, a spokesperson for Transportation Alternatives.

On Thursday night, advocates with TransAlt and Families for Safe Streets will gather outside of the Manhattan Community Board 9 meeting to demand a redesign of a dangerous stretch of Amsterdam Avenue, where 26-year-old Erica Imbasciani was killed by a hit-and-run driver last month. The community board opposes the proposed safety improvements, and Mayor Bill de Blasio has so far refused to circumvent the body.