February 6, 2026 BROOKLYN, NY The yellow school bus is supposed to be a symbol of safety, a trusted vehicle that carries our most precious cargo. But on a quiet Thursday afternoon in Bath Beach, it became a weapon of unthinkable tragedy.
Amira Aminova was 11 years old. She was almost home—literally steps from her front door—when her life was violently cut short in a hit-and-run that has left a Brooklyn neighborhood paralyzed with grief and rage.
The Fatal Moment at 23rd and Bath
It happened at the intersection of 23rd Avenue and Bath Avenue. Around 3 p.m., as the school day was winding down, Amira was crossing the street. She never made it to the other side.
According to the NYPD, a school bus struck the young girl with devastating force. But instead of the screech of brakes and a driver rushing to help, there was only silence as the bus continued on its route, leaving a child dying in the asphalt.
The Arrest: Justice or Just a Start?
By Friday afternoon, the NYPD had tracked down the man they say was behind the wheel. Wawa Aurelus, 62, of East Flatbush, was taken into custody.
The charges currently facing Aurelus have sparked immediate outcry from a community seeking accountability:
While these charges form the legal foundation of the case, they feel hollow to a family now planning a funeral for a girl who was just beginning her life. Amira was rushed to Maimonides Hospital, but the injuries were too catastrophic. She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
