Driver Hits Family in Harlem Crosswalk, Killing 3-Year-Old Girl
A 3-year-old girl was killed and three pedestrians were injured at Lenox Avenue and West 135th Street on July 11, 2024; police told Gothamist a 40-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder hit her family in the crosswalk while they had the walk signal.
What We Know
The official record places the crash at Lenox Avenue and West 135th Street in Manhattan at 7:40 p.m. on July 11, 2024, and records one pedestrian killed and three pedestrians injured. Police told Gothamist that Jaynelyse Valdez, 3, was crossing West 135th Street with her mother and two young siblings when a 40-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder hit them in the crosswalk. Officials said the family had a clear walk signal. Police said the driver took Jaynelyse to Harlem Hospital, where she was pronounced dead; her mother and two siblings were also taken there with minor or non-serious injuries. Gothamist reported no immediate arrests.
A family was crossing with the signal
The official record lists the crash at 7:40 p.m. at Lenox Avenue and West 135th Street. Gothamist, citing police, reported that Jaynelyse Valdez, her 37-year-old mother, and two young siblings were in the crosswalk around 7:30 p.m. when a 40-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder hit them.
The crash happened at a central Harlem crossing
The official record identifies the location as Lenox Avenue and West 135th Street in Manhattan. Gothamist described the same crossing as West 135th Street and Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem.
Jaynelyse Valdez was killed; her family was hurt
The official record says the pedestrian killed was a 3-year-old girl who was crossing with the signal at an intersection. Gothamist, citing police, identified her as Jaynelyse Valdez and reported that she lived in New Rochelle with her family.
Police told Gothamist that Jaynelyse’s 2-year-old brother, 4-month-old brother, and mother were taken to Harlem Hospital with minor or non-serious injuries. The official record lists three pedestrians injured.
Records identify the driver and SUV
Gothamist reported that police identified the driver as a 40-year-old man driving a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder. The official vehicle record lists a 2020 Nissan SUV, a licensed male driver, one occupant, and front-end damage.
Sources differ on the driver’s direction of travel
Gothamist reported that police said the driver was heading south before making the left turn. The official vehicle record lists the SUV’s travel direction as east and also lists a left turn before the crash.
The child was taken to Harlem Hospital
Police told Gothamist that the driver took Jaynelyse to Harlem Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Gothamist also reported that police did not make any immediate arrests.