NJ 4-Year-Old Dead, Mom, Baby Sister, Big Brother Injured After Being Hit By Car

OAKLAND, NJ — A 4-year-old boy has died and his mom and two siblings were injured when a car struck the family at an intersection in Oakland Thursday, officials said.

The Oakland Police Department responded at approximately 3:43 p.m. to a report of multiple pedestrians struck by a vehicle at the intersection of East Oak Street and Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202), said a spokesman for the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office on Friday.

A 32-year-old woman, a 6-year-old boy, a 4-year-old boy, and a 9-month-old girl were at the scene with injuries, prosecutors said.

The 4-year-old was pronounced dead at an area hospital, they said.

The 6-year-old boy suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized, prosecutors said. The other two were treated and released.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the pedestrians, a 56-year-old woman, remained on scene and cooperated with the investigation, prosecutors said.

The circumstances are under investigation and prosecutors would not release further information.

The town of Oakland confirmed that it was a mother and her three children who were struck.

Mayor Eric Kulmala, who was on the scene, said: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family who lost a child yesterday. Our community sends its love, support, and strength to this family. Our community asks for prayers for all involved. My thanks to our citizens who assisted and our E.M.S., police, fire, and medical professionals who worked diligently to provide life saving care on the scene.”

ABC News reported that the family was heading home from a pediatrics appointment when they were struck.

Witnesses told the news outlet that a doctor and nurses from the office ran to help the family.

The town's recreation summer camp announced that they would have mental health counselors available Friday.

"The Oakland Recreation Summer Camp is extremely saddened over the tragic event that occurred this afternoon in our community," they said in a statement. "In an effort to best support our campers, staff members, and families, we will have a representative from West Bergen Mental Healthcare at the camp office during the morning hours for anyone who would like to speak with her. We will continue to keep a close eye on both our campers and staff members.

"West Bergen Mental Healthcare can be a resource for support. Parents and families can call 201-688-7098 for their warmline for free and confidential support. Initial calls are received by a West Bergen Access Clinician, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., then a trained, West Bergen licensed therapist will return your call at a time that is convenient for you."

An area church wrote on social media, "Our hearts are heavy tonight as we lift up the Oakland community in prayer. We are grieving alongside the family who was seriously injured and mourning the precious child they lost."

Ramapo Valley Road and Oak Street were closed for the police investigation until 8 p.m. Thursday, police said.