Officials ID Boy Struck, Killed by Car in Valley Stream

A 12-year-old boy who was struck and killed by a car as he walked to school Thursday morning has been identified as Zachary Rantfle.

The seventh grader was on his way to Memorial Junior High School at 7:17 a.m. when he was struck by a GMC Yukon, driven by Austin Soldano, cops said.

“Zach was a shining star,” said Superintendent Bill Heidenreich in a statement, adding the school was “extremely saddened” by the loss and that Rantfle would be “greatly missed everyday.”

Rantfle was crossing west onto South Franklin Avenue when he was struck by Soldano, 29, of Seaford, cops said. Officers rushed to the scene and transported Rantfle to North Shore LIJ Hospital, police said. Rantfle was pronounced dead at 8:10 a.m., detectives said.

“He had many friends in class, helped others with difficult concepts, and was the first to ‘get it’ in class. He was able to think outside of the box and supply simple explanations to his ideas to others with ease. He provided us with insight and achieved greatness with every challenge he was presented with. He was well liked by his peers and loved by his teachers. He was a sweet boy who had a bright future.”

While police said no criminality is suspected, Soldano was charged with driving with a suspended license, unlicensed operator, and second- and third-degree aggravated unlicensed.

In August, Soldano was charged with DWI and resisting arrest in Long Beach, according to Long Beach Police. He currently has several driving convictions and two cases pending in Nassau County, according to Newsday.

Photo: Google Maps

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