Pedestrian Killed When Car Left Road And Crashed Into Home Is Id'd

YONKERS, NY — The 70-year-old pedestrian killed in a tragic car crash Sunday evening has now been identified as a community leader who was well known for her prolific volunteer efforts.

"I was so saddened to hear of the horrific tragedy that claimed the life of Christine Kenney O'Rourke on Sunday," Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said in a statement released Monday evening. "My heart goes out to the Kenney and O'Rourke families."

Kenney O'Rourke was a familiar face, not just to the mayor, but to countless members of the Westchester and Yonkers community as well.

"Chris was very much involved with the community," Spano wrote. "In 2018, she was an aide to the Grand Marshal in our Yonkers Saint Patrick's Day Parade. She held several positions with the Amackassin Club Board and was a trustee for the Yonkers Historical Society. She was also a greeter at Untermyer Gardens and Conservancy and the daughter-in-law of former Yonkers Mayor Dr. James O'Rourke. Her compassion for Yonkers is going to be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to all who knew her and were touched by her kind light."

Investigators said a sedan traveling northbound on North Broadway hit Kenney O'Rourke as she walked on the sidewalk along North Broadway, killing her. The car then jumped a retaining wall and hit a home, with occupants of the house suffering minor injuries, according to police.

The driver of the vehicle, a 54-year-old White Plains resident was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening blunt force injuries.

Police say that they have started both criminal and accident investigations, but no charges have been filed at this time.

According to a statement released by the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, Kenney O'Rourke was walking home after a shift at the gardens when she was killed.

"Chris was simply the best, beautiful inside and out, with the brightest of smiles," the organization said in a Monday evening social media post. "An early supporter of the Conservancy and a lifelong resident of Yonkers, Chris served countless hours as a volunteer greeter, docent, and garden class member. She was loved for her sharp wit, her fine intellect, and her wonderful stories, including tales of childhood visits to the garden. At times like this, one realizes what a special community has developed around Untermyer Gardens. Chris was a big part of it. We are lucky to have found our way here and blessed to have known her."