Elderly Barbadian woman killed in hit-and-run in New York

A 79-year-old Barbadian woman was killed in New York on Thursday evening after being struck by two different cars that did not stop, according to media reports. Police are now searching for the two hit-and-run drivers responsible for Yvonne Sandiford’s death.

The mother of 10, grandmother of more than 20, and great-grandmother of two was the victim of a hit-and-run around 6:30 p.m. near the corner of New York Avenue and Herkimer Street.

Investigators say she was in the crosswalk when the driver of a gray Nissan Rogue hit her while turning and drove away. Then, they say, the driver of a white Toyota Sienna hit her again farther down the block near Fulton Street and also kept driving.

Yvonne Sandiford (CBS News New York)

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sandiford’s family is now struggling to cope with her loss. 

“She is such a humble person, just loves to laugh,” her son Patrick Sandiford said.

Part of the family immigrated from Barbados more than 30 years ago, he said. His mother lived in nearby Crown Heights with her older sister. Seven of her children live overseas.

“My family is calling me from England, Barbados, all over the world because they know how close me and my mom was,” Patrick said.

In a message to the drivers who hit his mother, he said: “Whoever you are out there, you have devastated my family, you have taken the life of a wonderful, wonderful person and you should just turn yourself in.”  (CBS News New York/BT)