On February 17, 2023, one New York City family suffered a tragic loss.
At around 6 p.m., 7-year-old Dolma Naadhum was struck by an SUV that ran a stop sign at the intersection of Newtown Road and 45th Street. She was rushed to nearby Elmhurst Hospital but was soon declared dead. Her family is now speaking out about the unsafe intersection. They are requesting a traffic light be installed so no one has to face the unthinkable loss they are dealing with.
Dolma’s 11-year-old brother, Tsering Tashi Takgye, started a heartbreaking Change.org petition to help raise awareness of his family’s mission. He witnessed his sister’s death firsthand.
“With unexplainable sorrow, I am writing for my 7 year old sister, Dolma Naadhum, who was brutally killed by a ruthless driver on 45th Street and Newtown Road in Astoria, right in front of my eyes. This tragedy happened on February 17, 2023, when we were walking with my mother, Sonam, from my after school to our home,” he begins.
What was supposed to be a fun festive time quickly turned tragic. Tsering goes on: “It was also a time when my sister and family were eagerly preparing and waiting for the Tibetan New Year which was on February 21st, but then everything changed within a few minutes. I had to grieve the loss of my sister, along with my family and community on Losar, instead of celebrating.”
“I miss my sister every second. My family's mission is to make sure this horrible tragedy doesn't happen to any other family. There must be a traffic light instead of a stop sign for the crosswalk on Newtown Road and 45th Street, as well as 44th Street, and 46th Street. These are the intersections that my sister and I would cross to go to Astoria Heights Playground, which was my sister's favorite place in the world. Installing a traffic light seems like such a small thing to do compared to the loss of my sister,” he concludes.
Tsering is not the only family speaking out. His and Dolma’s father, Tsering Wangu, requested a stop light through the city’s Department of Transportation. He has yet to hear back.
“I don’t see anything — no update. I don’t understand why they don’t do something there … I don’t want any parents to suffer what I’m going through,” he told the New York Post.
At a recent vigil in honor of Dolma, authorities and elected officials spoke out in support of the traffic light. State Senator Michael Gianaris, who represents New York's 12th District, promised to help make a change. He is going to “make sure we fix Newtown Road where this happened, and to honor her father’s request that there be traffic lights there.”
“We are going to do everything we can to make sure it never happens again in our neighborhood,” stated Kenneth Gorman, the NYPD’s deputy inspector of 114th Precinct. It seems like many are wanting to honor Dolma’s memory.
The Change.org petition has received over 30,000 signatures. One neighbor believes Dolma’s death could have been prevented. “It’s frustrating. I probably made like four requests to 311 for speed bumps and traffic lights,” he said.
The driver who struck and killed Dolma remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. The 46-year-old had a permit but not a license, and although she had alcohol in her system, it was within the legal limits. She has not been charged at this time.
Dolma’s second grade teacher, Laura Meletiadis, remembers her fondly and cannot believe she is gone. “Dolma’s death is a tragedy, especially since Dolma was the most alive person I knew. Everyone loved Dolma, staff and students alike. She loved her friends and had many, not just in my class but the whole school,” she stated. “She taught me a lot.”
Dolma’s father agrees. “Everybody loved her. I don’t have any words. I don’t know what I’m going to do,” he said.
