A 6-year-old Brooklyn girl was struck and killed by a school bus while crossing the street in Orange County Friday morning, state police said.
The girl, identified as Leah Mezzi, had just gotten off the bus near Acres Road and Lemberg Court in Kiryas Joel Friday morning when she abruptly changed direction and started crossing the street in front of the bus, police say.
The driver did not see her, and the girl was hit by the front bumper. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The intersection was closed for investigation into the evening. Members of the Hasidic Jewish community performed a religious ritual around the bus where the girl died.
"It's so sad, a small child passing away from an accident," said Kiryas Joel Assistant Fire Chief Isaac Friedman.
State police said they were still trying to notify the girl's family Friday afternoon. The school district's office was closed for the day and could not be reached for comment.
