Family and community mourn teen killed on scooter in Bronx

Eliecer Marte and Ben Mitchell

16 minutes ago

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

She was the passenger on this scooter; the man who operated on her was rushed to the hospital and is now fighting for his life, according to authorities.

Heartbroken and disbelieving, family and friends of Dafne Juan hung her photo just around the corner from where she was killed Tuesday afternoon in the Bronx.

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

“Her friend,” 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. The man was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital in critical condition.

“Oh my God, that was really bad. It was booooommmm,” said Ruth Vega, who was sitting by the window of her first-floor apartment when she heard the impact around noon. “When I looked out the window, I see the young woman on the ground bleeding. And this guy was calling her name, so I was screaming in my house, nervous.

Juan was the second oldest of four sisters.

“She was kind and calm. Happy little girl, always at home with her sisters and grandparents,” Gomez said.

A Honda Pilot was involved, police said. The driver remained on scene. No charges have been filed.