At a Glance
- Actress Kianna Underwood died after being struck by two vehicles in Brooklyn at 6:50 a.m. on January 16, 2026.
- Both drivers fled the scene; NYPD has made no arrests and continues to investigate.
- Underwood voiced Fuschia on Little Bill for five years and appeared on All That in 2005.
Why it matters: The loss of a beloved childhood performer highlights the growing danger of traffic fatalities in New York City.
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Kianna Underwood, the actress who brought Fuschia Glover to life on Nickelodeon’s Little Bill, was killed in a double hit-and-run in Brooklyn early Friday morning. She was 33.
According to News Of Los Angeles, Underwood was crossing Watkins Street at Pitkin Avenue in Brownsville around 6:50 a.m. when a black Ford SUV struck her. Moments later, a black-and-gray sedan hit her again. Neither driver stopped.
The Incident
NYPD officers arrived to find Underwood unresponsive in the intersection. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators say both vehicles fled westbound on Pitkin Avenue. Surveillance footage is being reviewed, but no license plates have been released.
Key details:
- First vehicle: black Ford SUV
- Second vehicle: black-and-gray sedan
- Time: 6:50 a.m. local time
- Location: Watkins Street & Pitkin Avenue, Brownsville, Brooklyn
- Status: no arrests; Highway District Collision Investigation Squad handling case
A police spokesperson told News Of Los Angeles, “There are no arrests, and the investigation remains ongoing.”
Career Highlights
Underwood’s screen career began at age four. Over two decades she amassed credits across television, film, and theater.
Television
- Little Bill (1999-2004): voiced Fuschia Glover for 23 episodes
- All That (2005): sketch performer alongside Kenan Thompson
Film
- The 24 Hour Woman (1999): starred opposite Rosie Perez, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Patti LuPone
- Death of a Dynasty (2003): minor role in satirical hip-hop comedy featuring Kevin Hart
Theater
- Hairspray national tour: played Little Inez for one year
Born in New York City, Underwood later moved to Los Angeles, The New York Post reports.
Investigation Status
The NYPD is asking anyone with dash-cam or surveillance footage to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Authorities have not released descriptions of the drivers or specified speeds involved. Toxicology results are pending standard protocol.
Community Reaction
Fans have posted tributes on social media, sharing clips of Underwood’s Little Bill performances. Nickelodeon has not yet issued a statement.
A makeshift memorial of flowers and stuffed animals now marks the intersection where she died.
Key Takeaways
- Kianna Underwood, 33, died in a double hit-and-run in Brooklyn on January 16, 2026.
- Both drivers fled; police continue to search for suspects.
- Underwood’s five-year run on Little Bill made her a familiar voice to millions of children.
- The tragedy underscores New York’s rising traffic fatalities, now at their highest level in two decades.
