I have trained two two teenagers, now in their 20′s to drive. Never in a million years would I have taken them to such a narrow, congested street if either of them was so clueless as to mistake the brake for the gas pedal. Of course this was an “accident” – the mother and the teenager didn’t intentionally go out to run people over. So what would you like to call it? Stupidity? Idiocy? Disregard for your fellow neighbors? Irresponsibilty? The parents of this poor little boy should be screaming at those two morons…..”what were you thinking, you psycho idiots??????”

NYS driving law states that a driving lesson has to be given in a vehicle outfitted with a brake pedal on the passenger side so that an instructor can stop the vehicle if the student loses control.

The police report stated they had just left mcdonalds and mom and daughter were eating in the car. Maybe if the fat mother had gone on a diet this little boy would be alive. Plus the mother was on her cellphone at the time as well, bet you assclowns didn’t know that?

This horrible accident happened on my block, and my daughter and I were there, not only to see Andrew, but to see how devastated the driver and her mother were, especially when they found out that Andrew didn’t make it. Since I do know the area, I have to say that Plainfield Avenue is NOT a street to be teaching a 16 year old how to drive. It’s just too busy a street, with lots of cars and people walking everywhere, and the block she was turning on, Martha Terrace, where I live, is so narrow that we’re only allowed to park on one side of the street, yet it’s a two-way street. It’s definitely not a place to be learning how to drive for the first time. I’m convinced she must have panicked and hit the gas instead of the brake, because not only did she hit the boy, but she then pushed a parked car about 100 feet into a tree, completely totaling it, front and back. Some serious speed had to have been involved to do that much damage. I just feel very sad for everyone involved. One family lost a beautiful little boy, and a 16 year old girl has to live with the fact that she killed that little boy for the rest of her life. Rest in peace Andrew, and God bless everyone else involved.

For those of you who are condemming a young girl and her mother for a terrible accident I am appaled. They will have to live with this memory every time they get into a car. Its so easy to be judge and jury and exectioner. May God give the families involved the strenghth and fortidude to get through this. And for those who judge remember who the final judge is.

I suggest one read the Psychiatrist book “Man against Himself”
by Karl Meninger M.D., He states there are no accidents when death is
involved by an” accident” that some people have a death wish etc.

Sounds to me like stupidity on the mothers part even though there were no charges there insurance will pay dearly for this one.My condolences to the family of this innocent child.

No charges have been filed? Its homicide by vehicle no matter who is driving. An innocent little boy lost his life riding his bike. Shame

*just-turned

time to rethink at what age a chilkd, who is not yet permitted to vote, should be allowed to drive. My husband sufffered a traumatic brain injury that we are still dealing with 14 yrs later – at the hands of a jut-tuned 17 yr old.

It’s a shame this child was killed. I’m just dumbfounded at the statement “Burrous told 1010 WINS that she doesn’t understand why the mother was giving the teen a driving lesson in Floral Park in an area surrounded by houses and people.” Where the f else do you give driving lessons, in a parking lot? Also, for those of you who do not know the Floral Park area, it is a very quiet area. Yes there are hoses and people, but that’s because we live on a planet inhabited by such
creatures

honestly teenagers in floral park should stop driving.

look at the news how many lives would have been saved.

May Andrew rest in peace. What a tragedy!!! May Kathy, Bob and William take it one step at a time and know we in Floral Park are thinking about you!!!

Most of these comments are irresponsible. This was an accident. A horrible accident, and while we would like to think accidents are avoidable they are not intentional. Nor is there gross negligence. The whole point of a learners permit is so our kids can learn how to drive and become good drivers. Do we expect them to just drive in the beech parking lot and never practice in a congested area? Should they go into a congested area for the first time without any experience after they pass a road test? And as far as the type of car? A smaller car could have done the same damage. Yes an SUV may have done more, but you can say that about any accident an SUV is involved in. Please think before you write. This was a horrible accident, but it was an accident. Please pray for the families.

Seems to me everyone is jumping to a lot of conclusions about this young girl, her mother and this whole accident. I am not familiar with this area so I can not give an opinion on how busy it is or how safe or unsafe it was for her mother to be giving her a driving lesson here. I do know that my parents taught me to drive on the main roads in my area..which are curvy mountain roads. Just because she is young doesn’t mean she is careless. Sometimes awful things happen for no apparent reason. It is a horrible tragedy for both families. My heart goes out to both. For all of you who are quick to jump in and judge….how many times have you made a mistake driving and just been lucky that nothing bad happened? Think about that for a minute before you continue bashing this young girl and her mother.

I understand the feelings the family is going through, my thoughts and prayers go out to them. My family can relate to loosing their 9 yr old son. We lost our littleman Steven Petillo on Aug 16 2010 on the I-95 in Virginia after being sent out of control in our minivan & flipping down a 45 ft embankment. It happened so quick “in the blink of an eye” our Steven was gone. Try as hard as it may seem to stay strong as possible, & just go step by step. We are also from Floral Park, if you need anything when you are ready contact someonne you can go to Virtual-memorials & search Steven Petillo., go to guestbook & leave an e-mail address & we would be glad to meet with you, thoughts & prayers are with you all.

what a terrible thing I know the mother of the 9 yr old and she is kind and sweet person The mother of the 16 yr old should be charged with neglilence for giving her lessons on a busy street That is why these kids have drivers ed in school or driving schools

I will say this, there are many facts about this story that should not have happened. As we have all said the fact that she was learning to drive in a big SUV at such a young age. Then the fact that she was learning to drive in a populated area and finally the fact that she was being taught to drive an overweight vehicle by her mother in a populated area. All this adds up to one terrible accident. The loss of life here is such a tragedy for the poor mother who was enjoying the beautiful weather. But lets not forget the young girl who took a life at the hands of a powerful machine. This girl must be traumatized and going through some horrible thoughts right now. There is no right and wrong, everyone looses here and the end result is what could be learned from this. I only hope both of these families find the strength to deal with this horrible tragedy. God Bless!

To the teen getting the driving lesson: YOU FAILED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heartbreaking !

CM…you should have been giving your daughter a driving lesson in a empty lot or less busy area. Not fooling any of us..

How about taking your kid to parking lot or parking field like my parents did.

Who gives driving lessons in a SUV?

Not one to speculate, but I think mother was busy texting, tweeting, etc. instead of watching daughter on the road. Now a nine year old boy is dead. The insanity has to STOP!

No charges filed?