Family and community mourn teenager killed on scooter in Bronx

Eliecer Marte and Ben Mitchell

19 mins ago

THE BRONX, NY (PIX11) — A Bronx family is in shock and mourning the loss of a 15-year-old who was hit by a car while riding his scooter on Tuesday.

She was the passenger on that scooter; the driver was taken to hospital and is now fighting for his life, according to authorities.

Heartbroken and in disbelief, family and friends of Dafne Juan hung her picture on the exact corner where she was killed in the Bronx on Tuesday afternoon.

Her grandmother told PIX11 News she has no words to describe how devastated they are. Police said Juan was a passenger on a scooter driven by a 19-year-old man.

“Your girlfriend,” said Juan’s cousin Laura Gomez

They collided with a Honda Pilot at the corner of University Avenue and West 192nd Street. The driver of the SUV remained at the scene of the accident. The man was taken to St. Barnabas Hospital in critical condition.

“Oh my God, it was really bad. It was booooooooo,” said Ruth Vega, who was sitting at the window of her first-floor apartment when she heard the impact around 12 p.m. “When I looked out the window, I saw the young woman lying on the floor bleeding. And the guy was calling her name, so I was screaming nervously in my house.”

Juan was the second oldest of four sisters.

“She was sweet and quiet. A happy little girl, always at home with her sisters and grandparents,” Gomez said.

According to police, a Honda Pilot was involved. The driver remained at the scene of the accident. No charges were filed.