Amira Aminova, 11, Killed in Bath Beach Hit-and-Run; School Bus Driver Wawa Aurelus Arrested

A tragic incident in Brooklyn’s Bath Beach claimed the life of 11-year-old Amira Aminova on Thursday after she was fatally struck while crossing the street.

According to the NYPD, 62-year-old school bus driver Wawa Aurelus of East Flatbush hit Aminova as she crossed Bath Avenue near 23rd Avenue just after 3 p.m. The girl was rushed to the hospital with severe injuries but could not be saved.

Surveillance footage shows Aminova sprinting across the crosswalk near her home in an effort to avoid the bus as it made a right turn. A local resident described the scene:
"She just took off. It was like if you see a train coming and you try to run to beat the train, it was just like that."

A nearby deli worker said Aminova had just been inside buying chocolate and soda, describing her as a quiet and regular customer.

The driver, Aurelus, initially fled the scene but was later arrested in Brooklyn. He has been charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian or cyclist and failure to exercise due care. No additional charges have been filed at this time.

Authorities continue to investigate the tragic incident as the community mourns the loss of young Amira.