Grandfather of Mamaroneck's Michael Donovan Volpe discusses tragedy: 'He was so loved'

Alexandra Rivera, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
Updated ·3 min read
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Tom Volpe Sr. has dealt with grief before. His son Michael was killed in a vehicle accident 37 years ago. But on Thursday morning, the unimaginable happened when his six-year-old grandson and his grandson's mother were struck and killed by a school bus on their way to school.

Volpe Sr. said Tom Jr., 55, and his ex-wife, Molly Murphey Donovan, 43, named their baby boy Michael, after Tom's brother. Volpe Sr. was choked up when recalling memories of his grandson.

"Michael was an angel," Volpe Sr. said. "He was very loved and he knew it. He had a good six years on this planet."

Michael Donovan Volpe, 6, was killed along with his mother while they were walking to school and were struck by a school bus in a crosswalk in Mamaroneck.
Michael Donovan Volpe, 6, was killed along with his mother while they were walking to school and were struck by a school bus in a crosswalk in Mamaroneck.

What we know about the Mamaroneck bus crash

Officials say 6-year-old Michael Donovan Volpe and his mother were walking to Mamaroneck Avenue Elementary School around 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning when they were struck by a mini-bus. They were crossing Mamaroneck Avenue in front of a busy shopping center.

Police say the mini-bus, owned by Royal Coach Lines and driven by a 68-year-old man from Mount Vernon they have not yet identified, had several students and an aide on board as it was traveling eastbound from New Street and turned the corner onto Mamaroneck Avenue. Several parents and children were crossing the street within the crosswalk at the time of the crash, including Volpe and his mother.

Police, along with the Westchester County Medical Examiner's office at the scene of an accident on Mamaroneck Ave. in Mamaroneck where a child and his mother were struck and killed by a school bus June 20, 2024.
Police, along with the Westchester County Medical Examiner's office at the scene of an accident on Mamaroneck Ave. in Mamaroneck where a child and his mother were struck and killed by a school bus June 20, 2024.

"I just can't believe that this bus driver didn't see them," Volpe Sr. said. "I just can't believe it. I'm 81 years old. Even I would see them."

Volpe was pronounced dead at the scene. He was just finishing his first year of kindergarten. His mother was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died later that day of her injuries.

Officials say the driver of the bus has not faced any charges. "The driver of the school bus is cooperating with investigators, and it appears at this time that this incident was a tragic accident," a police statement said.

Volpe says his son needs support after unimaginable tragedy

Now, Volpe Sr. is pleading with the village of Mamaroneck to rally around Tom Jr. in his time of need.

"All I can tell you is my son needs so much support right now," Volpe Sr., 81, of Roslyn said. "He is falling apart. My son needs me."

Police said there didn't appear to be any crossing guards at the intersection at the time of the crash or any other safety measures at the intersection that has become increasingly busy over the years. Community members created a petition to the village to implement enhanced safety measures, including crossing guards, reducing the speed limit in the area and increasing police presence.

Volpe Sr. said none of that mattered to him. His first priority is his son Tom Jr., facing the loss of his son and ex-wife almost 40 years since his brother Michael, his son's namesake, died in a tragically similar way.

"Adding crossing guards to the streets is not going to bring back my grandson," Volpe said. "I just want to see the community somehow support my son."

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Mamaroneck NY crash: grandfather of Michael Volpe asks for support