Tears amid tragedy: NYC Mayor Eric Adams visits Saada family after unfathomable loss in Brooklyn

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, New York City Mayor Eric Adams visited the Saada family home on Sunday to offer his condolences after a devastating car crash took the lives of a mother and her two young daughters. The tragic incident unfolded less than 24 hours earlier, on Shabbat afternoon, when 32-year-old Miriam Yarimi, driving with a suspended license, struck and killed Natasha (Sara) Saada, along with her daughters Diana, 7, and Debra, 5, on Ocean Parkway near Quentin Road. The crash also left the family’s 4-year-old son, Pinchas Raphael Ben Sarah, in critical condition, fighting for his life.

Standing before the grieving father, Sidney Saada, Mayor Adams spoke not just as a city leader, but as a father who deeply empathized with the unbearable pain of loss. “I’m here as a dad. Father to father,” Adams said, offering words of solace to the devastated father. “I only have one child. And I feel your pain…” The Mayor assured Mr. Saada that the city was ready to support the family during this unimaginably difficult time.

Joining Mayor Adams were several senior city officials, including CAU Commissioner Fred Kreizman, NYPD Community Affairs Chief Richie Taylor, and Deputy Chief of Staff Menashe Shapiro. Rabbi Raphael Netanel, a leading Sephardic askan, was also present and has been a key figure in providing support to the family since the tragedy struck. Rabbi David Ozeri, a prominent Sephardic Rabbi, broke down in tears as he spoke about the depth of the tragedy and expressed his gratitude to Mayor Adams for his compassion and for personally visiting the bereaved family.

The family, in their grief, expressed particular appreciation for Chief Richie Taylor, who has been a constant pillar of support throughout the ordeal. The levaya for Natasha and her daughters will take place on Sunday at 4:30 PM at Shomrei Hadas Chapels in Boro Park. The burial (kevurah) will take place in Eretz Yisroel on Har Hamenuchos on Monday.

The driver, Miriam Yarimi, has been arrested and charged with three counts of second-degree manslaughter, three counts of criminally negligent homicide, and multiple additional charges related to reckless driving and traffic violations. Investigations revealed that Yarimi had a history of traffic offenses, with over 100 violations, and was driving with a suspended license at the time of the fatal crash.

The local police continue to investigate the horrific tragedy to determine what caused the accident. Initial investigations suggest that the driver, a 32-year-old woman with a suspended license, struck the family despite having a long history of traffic violations, with around 100 offenses on her record. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch commented at the scene: “This is a horrible tragedy caused by someone who should not have been on the road.”

The community continues to pray for Pinchas Raphael Ben Sarah, hoping for his swift recovery and healing. The Saada family, devastated by this unimaginable tragedy, is now grappling with the loss of their beloved wife and mother, Natasha, and their two young daughters, Diana and Debra. As the family and the community mourn, we are reminded of the fragility of life and the importance of supporting those in need. Please continue to daven (pray) for the recovery of Pinchas Raphael Ben Sarah for a full and speedy healing. May their memories be a blessing.

The bodies of Natasha Sara Saada, 35, and her two daughters, Diana (7) and Deborah (5), who tragically lost their lives in the car accident in Brooklyn, will be flown to Israel tonight for burial. The accident occurred on Ocean Parkway on Shabbat afternoon when they were crossing the street after Shabbat services at the synagogue. The family was returning home when the incident took place.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the scene, expressing his sorrow over the incident, saying: "Today, a tragic car accident occurred on Ocean Parkway, where a mother and two of her young children were killed while crossing the street on a beautiful spring day. An unfathomable tragedy such as this is incomprehensible. My deepest condolences go out to the family, and my prayers are with them for the healing of the injured, including the third child who is in critical condition."