Ella Bandes, 23, Killed by MTA Bus Driver in Brooklyn; No Charges Filed

A 23-year-old woman has died from injuries sustained when she was struck by an MTA bus driver in Bushwick last month.

Ella Kottick Bandes was crossing Myrtle Avenue at Palmetto Street at around 11 p.m. on January 31 when she was hit as the driver of a B52 bus made a right turn, according to Gothamist. She was taken to Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in traumatic arrest.

Bandes was removed from life support at Kings County Hospital on February 4.

From the Record, in Bergen County:

Ms. Bandes grew up in Montclair and attended Edgemont Elementary School, Renaissance Middle School, and Montclair High School, graduating in 2007. She was a talented musician, dancer and artist.

After graduating from Macalester College in 2011 with degrees in psychology and studio art, Ms. Bandes was completing an internship at the Columbia Psychiatric Institute.

She was working at the Weight Watchers corporate office, and was planning to pursue a doctorate in psychology. Her dream was to provide mental health services to underserved populations.

Gothamist reports that no charges were filed against the bus driver.

This fatal crash occurred on the border of the 104th and 83rd Precincts. To voice your concerns about neighborhood traffic safety directly to the commanding officer of either precinct, go to the next community council meeting. Meeting times and contact information are available on each precinct’s web page.

The City Council district where Ella Bandes was killed is represented by Diana Reyna, where at least three other people — Terence Connor, Raoul De La Cruz, and Puran Thapa — were fatally struck by motorists in the last five months. To encourage Reyna to take action to improve street safety in her district and citywide, contact her at 212-788-7095 or 718-963-3141.