Kianna Underwood, a former Nickelodeon child star best known for her roles on ‘All That’ and ‘Little Bill,’ was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Brooklyn, New York. The 33-year-old actress was struck by two vehicles early Friday morning, and both drivers fled the scene, leaving her dead at the intersection.
The incident occurred around 6:43 a.m. on January 16, 2026, at the corner of Pitkin Avenue and Mother Gaston Boulevard in the Brownsville neighborhood. According to the New York Police Department, Underwood was crossing the street when a black Ford Explorer SUV, traveling westbound with a green light, made an illegal turn and struck her. She was in the crosswalk at the time of the initial impact.
After being hit by the SUV, Underwood was lying in the roadway when she was subsequently struck by a second vehicle, described as a black-and-gray sedan. Both drivers immediately fled the scene without stopping, and they remain unidentified. Emergency medical services pronounced Underwood dead at the location, and no arrests have been made as of the latest reports.
Surveillance footage obtained by local news outlets shows the SUV dragging Underwood’s body for approximately two blocks before it fell onto the street outside a laundromat. The NYPD Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is actively investigating the crash, reviewing video evidence and seeking witnesses to identify the vehicles and drivers involved.
Underwood’s career in entertainment began in childhood, with her voicing the character Fuchsia Glover on the Nick Jr. animated series ‘Little Bill’ from 1999 to 2004. She gained wider recognition in 2005 when she appeared in seven episodes of Nickelodeon’s popular sketch comedy show ‘All That,’ which helped launch the careers of stars like Nick Cannon and Kenan Thompson. Her final credited acting role was on ‘All That,’ and she also spent a year performing as Little Inez on the first national tour of the Broadway musical ‘Hairspray.’
The news of her death has shocked fans and the entertainment community, highlighting the dangers of hit-and-run incidents in urban areas. Underwood’s passing brings attention to the ongoing issue of pedestrian safety in New York City, where similar accidents have prompted calls for stricter enforcement and better infrastructure.
As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information to come forward. The lack of arrests underscores the challenges in solving hit-and-run cases, but authorities remain hopeful that public assistance will lead to breakthroughs. Underwood’s family and friends have yet to make public statements, but tributes are likely to emerge as the story spreads.
In the coming days, expect increased media coverage and potential discussions on celebrity legacies and traffic safety reforms. Underwood’s untimely death serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the need for accountability on the roads, even as her contributions to children’s television are remembered.
