New York Car Accident Lawyer

If you sustained injuries in a car accident caused by someone else, you deserve compensation.

A New York car accident lawyer from Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. will fight for the compensation you deserve. You may be entitled to compensation for medical treatment, lost income, emotional trauma, and related damages.

Contact us at 516-932-0400 for a free consultation with a member of our legal team.

We Accept All Types of New York Car Accident Cases

The car accident lawyers at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. handle all types of New York car accident cases. These include, but are not limited to:

• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving
• Reckless driving
• Fatigued driving
• Aggressive driving or road rage
• Illegal lane changes
• Illegal turns
• Failure to yield
• Disregarding traffic signals
• Speeding
• Car lift accidents

We also assist clients who sustained injuries in car accidents caused by roadway hazards and other factors, including:

• Construction
• Improper maintenance
• Insufficient signage
• Obstructions or debris
• Insufficient traffic control
• Temporary road markings
• Automotive component defects

We begin by investigating your case to identify the at-fault party and prove liability. We identify and document your damages to build a strong, persuasive case. We handle every detail of your case and fight to recover the maximum possible compensation for your damages.

Since 1991, the New York car accident attorneys at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. have advocated for our injured clients and helped them recover the compensation they deserve for their damages. Contact us today for help getting the results you deserve: 516-932-0400.

For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving New York, call 516-932-0400

Identifying Fault & Proving Liability for Your New York Car Accident

Our legal team will identify the party or parties who caused your accident. To prove liability, we demonstrate the following elements:

1. The at-fault party was obligated to act reasonably, to prevent subjecting you to unreasonable harm.
2. The at-fault party failed to act reasonably due to carelessness, recklessness, or negligence, subjecting you to harm.
3. The at-fault party’s actions caused your car accident and the resulting injuries, making the at-fault party liable for your damages.

We document fault and liability using evidence and information that may include:

• Police reports
• Photographs
• Surveillance video
• Witness statements
• Expert opinions

Once we establish fault and liability, we will document the damages you incurred as a result.

New York Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 516-932-0400

Determining Damages for Your New York Car Accident

If another party caused your accident, you deserve compensation for your economic, physical, and emotional damages. Our legal team will identify all damages you sustained, which may include:

Types of Damages

• Medical treatment
• Lost wages and benefits
• Property damage
• Direct and out-of-pocket expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

If you require additional treatment or ongoing care, or if your injuries prevent you from returning to work or resuming your prior job duties, you may have the right to also recover compensation for the following:

• Cost of future medical care
• Projected value of future income and benefits losses
• Diminished earning capacity
• Diminished quality of life

We will also pursue damages for any permanent injury, disability, or disfigurement you sustained.

If your loved one died from their car accident injuries, we are ready to pursue a wrongful death claim on your behalf. Contact our New York car accident lawyers now at 516-932-0400 for assistance.

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The Benefits of Working With a New York Car Accident Lawyer

Since 1991, we have fought to obtain the best possible results for our clients. As passionate advocates for the injured, we provide personalized legal services to help you obtain the best outcome.

Our services to you include:

Communicating & Providing Case Updates

We communicate with you throughout the legal process, including updates about important developments and milestones in your case. And you can always feel free to call or email us with any questions or concerns.

Identifying Fault & Proving Liability

We investigate and analyze the circumstances of your accident to identify the party or parties who caused or contributed to your accident. We prove liability for your damages by demonstrating how they breached their legal duty of care through wrongful or negligent action.

Dealing With All Parties on Your Behalf

Our New York accident team manages every aspect of your case and communicates with all parties on your behalf, including the insurance company, other attorneys, and anyone else involved in your case. We handle every detail of your case. You focus on your recovery.

Gathering Evidence for Your Accident

We begin by investigating the details of your road accident and gathering evidence to support your case. We know that a well-supported case helps us recover the maximum possible compensation for your injuries and other damages.

Establishing Value for Your Damages

To ensure you recover compensation for all damages you sustained, our legal team will identify your physical, economic, and emotional damages and document each one to establish value. We carefully detail your damages to ensure we build a strong, persuasive case for you.

Throughout the legal process, your car accident lawyer and the legal team at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. will be there for you, attending to all claim and litigation details so that you may focus on getting the comprehensive medical treatment you need to recover from your injuries. We protect your rights and fight for the results you deserve.

You have a limited time to file a legal action and take other critical steps to protect your rights after a New York car accident. (For example, filing an application for No-Fault Benefit within 30 days or filing a Notice of Claim within 90 days if a municipality is involved). If you fail to file within New York’s statute of limitations or act within other applicable periods of time restriction, you may be unable to recover the full extent of compensation that you are entitled to. Contact Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. today to protect your right to recover the maximum amount of compensation.

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Free Consultation for Your New York Car Accident Case

The New York car accident lawyers at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. understand your fears and concerns. We help you get the resources you need and fight to resolve your case as quickly as possible. We never collect a fee unless and until we recover compensation for your damages. Our compassionate legal team is also multilingual. We can help you in a variety of languages including English, Greek, Spanish, Bengali, Tamil, and Kannada.

For a free consultation, contact us now 516-932-0400.

New York Car Accidents News

5 Children Died In A Horse and Carriage Accident

As the growth of Amish communities in New York has revitalized small towns, family farms have also seen a rise in small businesses. Though economically healthy, this increase has come with disadvantages. According to the New York State Police, the number of buggy accidents is also on the rise. The New York State Police accident reconstruction unit has noticed an uptick in the accidents since 2016. However, statistics are difficult to track because accidents involving horse and carriage aren’t tracked as a distinct category. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of buggy accidents involving motor vehicles do not take place at night or in limited visibility. Most happen during the day on straight sections of the highway.

The New York Times reports that a fifth child has been found following a deadly Amish buggy accident in Bath County.

The accident occurred in Bath County, Kentucky, about 50 miles from Lexington on Wednesday. The five children and their mother were returning home from church. Their buggy flipped on a bridge in Peasticks.

Four of the children’s bodies were discovered on the same day. A fifth child’s body was found on Saturday. The parents and family members were notified of the discovery as they were holding funeral services for the other four children.

The bridge was a low-water bridge spanning a branch of waterway that feeds into the Licking River. A low-water bridge is a concrete slab situated above culverts that allow the water to pass through.

The mother was able to make her way to the bank of the waterway and summon help. The waterway was swollen after heavy rain had moved into the area on Wednesday afternoon.

A 15-Year-Old Boy Goes On A Joy Ride That Results In The Death Of A 13-Year-Old Passenger

In New York, the offense of driving without a license can vary in severity depending on the underlying circumstances. Cases where the driver has a license but has accidentally left it at home, or is just not carrying it on their person, are usually dismissed. All the driver needs to do is show up on the appointed court date with their license on their person. In a case where the license is expired or the driver has no license at all, the driver faces a fine of between $75 to $300 and the possibility of 15 days in jail. The most serious charge is when the driver knowingly drives with a license that is suspended, canceled, or revoked.

The New York Daily News reports that a joyride in Harlem has ended with the death of a 13-year-old.

The accident happened in Manhattan on Saturday at around 6:05 P.M. near the intersection of 116th Street and Morningside Avenue. A witness sitting in a nearby parked vehicle said that the driver was going too fast for the turn.

The witness said that the driver hit two cars and then hit the driver’s side mirrors on his van. The witness also noted that while the Nissan SUV was still moving, the front passenger side vehicle opened.

The passenger tried to close the door but was unable to do so. The car was unstable and began to roll onto its side. The 13-year-old male passenger was crushed beneath the vehicle.

NYPD officers who were nearby on an unrelated assignment spotted the SUV as it sped around the corner. They quickly arrived at the crash site.

The passenger was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, only identified as a 15-year-old boy, suffered from critical injuries.

Authorities believe that the SUV had been stolen earlier in Manhattan.

A Bicyclist Was Killed In A Hit-And-Run Accident

Anytime that a motor vehicle accident causes a fatality, it is a traumatic event for all involved. In many cases, such accidents are unintentional and do not warrant criminal charges. However, in New York, there are circumstances that may warrant the criminal charge of vehicular homicide. These circumstances include driving while intoxicated, driving recklessly, driving while texting, exhibiting road rage, or taking part in an unauthorized racing contest. Being convicted of vehicular homicide is a felony and can result in several years spent in state prison. It also comes with a host of fines and fees. Felony convictions can also have life-long consequences, affecting a person’s future employment as well as their rights.

The Ithaca Voice reports that a Groton man has been charged with vehicular homicide after a fatal hit and run accident.

At about 6:36 p.m. on Monday, Tomkins County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call near Lick Street and Stevens Road in Groton. Deputies were responding to a report that a vehicle had struck a bicycle and then fled the scene.

Deputies were advised while en route to the scene that witnesses were reporting a red truck with a bicycle embedded in the front bumper was fleeing on Lick Street.

64-year-old Jerrie Gavalchin was identified as the victim in the accident. He was taken to Cortland Regional Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.

Deputies later located the red pickup truck with the bicycle embedded in the bumper on Wood Road on Groton. The driver was identified as 43-year-old Jeffrey C. Skinner. He was taken into custody.

Skinner is facing charges of vehicular manslaughter in the first degree, driving while intoxicated with a prior conviction within 10 years, and leaving the scene of a personal injury accident.

Skinner was arraigned on the charges and released under the supervision of the Tompkins County Probation Department.

A Car Thief Crashes At An Intersection Wrecks Havoc Along Interstate 281

Although in New York City, police are no longer responding to accidents involving only property damage, the drivers are still required to make those reports themselves. In other areas of New York State, police are still responding to all accidents. New York State law states that when involved in an accident involving another vehicle, pedestrian, fixed object or animal, drivers have an obligation to report. Driving away from an accident with simple property damage may be just a traffic citation. However, leaving the scene of an accident that involves injuries can be a misdemeanor crime. If the injuries are serious, the charge can be upgraded to a felony. 

WXHC reports that a stolen car was crashed at an intersection in Homer, sending two people to the hospital. 

The crash occurred on the morning of April 15th at the intersection of State Routes 90 and 281. 

According to police, 33-year-old Matthew Clemons stole a pickup truck from a tire shop in Courtland. He then fled west on Groton Avenue towards SR-281. After receiving complaints about a reckless driver on Kinney Gulf Road, police responded to the incident. 

The driver continued on Route 90 at speeds of 50 m.p.h. where he ran a traffic signal and hit another pickup truck at the intersection. The driver of that truck was taken to a hospital for evaluation. 

After the crash with the pickup truck, Clemons continued dring, snapping off a metal power pole and street signs. His vehicle then overturned and came to a rest against a tree in the front of a lawn. 

Clemens was ejected from the vehicle and was discovered by police some 60 feet away from the overturned truck in a neighbor’s yard. 

He was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries and is facing charges from both Courtland City Police and Homer Police.

A Driver Loses Control Of Their Vehicle, Kills One and Injures 6 In A Multi-Vehicle Accident

Aside from a defective part or vehicle, the majority of causes of drivers losing control of their vehicles result from driver behavior. Most times, losing control is caused by a driver’s carelessness. From distracted driving to driving too fast for conditions, there are many factors that can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle.

Bad weather is one reason that drivers lose control. On roadways that are slick due to ice, snow, or rain, it can be easy for tires to lose traction. Speeding is another cause of loss of control. Tire failure, or a “blowout.” can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle. Driver fatigue, intoxication, and distracted driving are also common reasons a driver may lose control.

The New York Daily News reports that a crash near Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx killed one and injured six others.

The crash occurred at about 11:20 p.m. on Sunday in the westbound lane of City Island Road near Shore Road.

According to the police, a 35-year-old male lost control of the 2010 Toyota Camry he was driving and rear-ended a 2014 Infiniti Q50 in front of him.

The impact forced the Infiniti forward into the rear of a 2008 Toyota Highlander.

The Camry kept going and crossed into the eastbound lanes, where it struck a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee head-on. This caused both cars to spin, where the Camry then hit a BMW X5.

The driver of the Camry, who was not identified, was pronounced dead at the scene. His front-seat passenger suffered from critical injuries.

Five more people, who occupied both the Infiniti and the Jeep Cherokee were also taken to area hospitals with injuries.

The occupants of the Highlander and the Cherokee all declined medical attention.

A Driver Of A Luxury Supercar Crashed Into 5 Other Vehicles While Impaired By Drugs

One effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is the fact that streets and highways are abnormally clear of the traffic that normally congests them. Because of the lack of traffic and in some cases, wide-open freeways and highways, drivers are taking the open road as an invitation to drive at high speeds. Between March 5 and March 24, speed cameras issued 180,718 tickets on weekdays. Over the same period in January, this amounts to a 12% increase. Other cities have experienced the same increase in speeding tickets being issued. Los Angeles has responded by making changes to traffic signals and stationing police officers along problematic roadways. 

Fox News reports that a man has wrecked a $750,000 supercar in New York City.

On Tuesday morning, New York City police announced the arrest of the driver of a rare supercar. 

Ben Chen allegedly smashed into several vehicles and wrecked the blue Gemballa Mirage GT just a few blocks from the Javits Center Convention Hall. The $750,000 car is a version of the Porsche Carrera GT, the same vehicle that actor Paul Walker was driving when he was killed in a fatal crash. 

The abandoned vehicle matched the one owned by Chen, who is the founder of Gold Rush Rally. The company organizes cross-country driving trips for luxury car owners. 

Chen allegedly pulled away from the scene of the crash and drove for a short time before the driver was pulled over by police. 

Chen has been charged with operating a motor vehicle impaired by drugs and reckless driving. In addition to Chen’s vehicle, five other cars were damaged in the crash.

A Drunk Driver Slams Their Car Into A Police Cruiser After A Lengthy Chase

Leaving the scene of an accident is treated as a serious crime in New York. Under New York law, any driver involved in an accident is expected to stop and share insurance and driver’s license information with the other parties involved. Failure to do so can mean consequences above and beyond insurance premium increases and personal liability for injuries. 

Leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage only is not a criminal offense in New York. It is treated as a traffic citation. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is charged as a Class B misdemeanor. It can carry a sentence of up to 90 days in jail. An accident involving serious injury is charged as a Class E felony and an accident involving the death of another person is a Class D felony. 

The New York Daily News reports that a drunk driver has been charged after slamming a stolen vehicle into a police cruiser. 

36-year-old James Cornelius is facing a slew of charges after allegedly leading police on a meandering chase through the city on June 11th. At the time of the incident, Cornelius was behind the wheel of a stolen Jeep. 

Cornelius was driving in the wrong direction at about 8:30 p.m. along Second Avenue. Police tried to block him from driving any further. Instead of stopping, Cornelius drove around the cruiser and continued on Second Avenue. 

He was nearly involved in a collision as he turned onto E. 19th Street. He stopped at a traffic light at the intersection of E. 19th Street and Irving Place, but as police approached the vehicle, he sped away. 

While making his escape, he sideswiped an SUV parked outside Gramercy Park on E. 21st Avenue and Lexington Avenue. 

He turned east again onto Second Avenue. From there, he turned right on E. 18th Street, and, again, he headed in the wrong direction. He then made a left onto Park Avenue South and veered into oncoming traffic, striking the police cruiser head-on. 

There was an open bottle of liquor in the front seat of the Jeep. Cornelius and two police officers were treated for injuries at Bellevue Hospital.

A DWAI Driver In New York Was In A Head-On Collision

In New York, a drug-related DUI is called DWAI drugs, short for “driving while ability impaired by drugs.” It has the same penalties as a DWI involving alcohol. Like in many states, the drug that impairs the driver does not need to be an illicit drug like cocaine, marijuana, or heroin. Prescription and over the counter medications can lead to a DWAI drug charge. A first time DWAI charge can lead to fines and other expenses totaling between $1,000-$2,000. The person’s driver’s license will also be revoked and the offense will remain on their record for ten years. A second offense can lead to felony charges. 

Syracuse.com reports that a man who was allegedly impaired by drugs was saved by firefighters and passers-by after a two-car accident in Central New York. 

The accident occurred just after 6:05 P.M. on Friday in Utica. 

35-year-old Kyle Hart was traveling on North Genesee Street near Wurz Avenue. His vehicle crossed over the double yellow line into oncoming traffic, where it struck a southbound car head-on. 

Passing witnesses stopped to help Hart. A passenger in the vehicle informed first responders that Hart was under the influence. They were able to revive Hart with Narcan. 

Police did not immediately confirm what substance Hart was on. There were no illegal drugs found in the vehicle. He was rushed to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, where he was said to be stable. 

The passenger and the driver of the other vehicle were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Hart is facing charges of driving while under the influence of drugs and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle along with several traffic violations.

A Girl Is Hit By A Police Car On Hunts Point Avenue And Taken To Harlem Hospital

Fatalities caused by emergency responders are 4.8 times higher than the national average. Because of the speeds at which they must respond to calls, ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles are more likely to be involved in a crash with a fatality or serious injury.

Police pursuits account for 300 fatalities in the United States each year. 30% of those who are killed were not involved in the pursuit. When it comes to accident rates, per million vehicles driven, police officers have nearly double the accident rate compared to the general public. 50% of all law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty were killed in auto accidents between 1998 and 2008.

The New York Daily News reports that an NYPD police car struck a girl crossing the street in the Bronx.

The incident occurred just after 7 p.m. last Wednesday night.

The police car was headed east on Hunts Point Avenue near Seneca Avenue in Hunts Point.

The young girl stepped off of a center island and attempted to cross the street. The officer was unable to stop in time, striking the young girl, though the officer tried to swerve.

The officer exited his vehicle and attempted to help the girl to her feet, but bystanders screamed at him not to move her. According to a witness, the youngster suffered from injuries to her leg and she was bleeding from the mouth.

The officer was visibly shaken according to witnesses. The girl was taken by medics to Harlem Hospital.

A Jogger Was Critically Injured After A Collision Involving A Bicylist

While a number of bicyclists and pedestrians die in motor vehicle collisions each year in New York. It is quite uncommon to hear about a bicyclist being in an accident with a pedestrian. However, such accidents do occur, and these accidents result in several injuries and deaths each year.

By August of 2019, there were 169 pedestrians who were injured by bicyclists. This was a 14% increase when compared to the same period the year before.

While bicyclists can be cited for breaking traffic laws, there are no statutes for charges like manslaughter when a bicyclist strikes and kills a pedestrian. Police say that in cases involving a collision between a bicyclist and a pedestrian, it is difficult to charge the bicyclist. 

The Westside Rag reports that a jogger hit by a bicyclist in Central Park was critically injured. 

The incident occurred inside Central Park at about 7:05 a.m. on June 2nd. Some details about exactly what caused the accident are still unclear.

 The collision took place in the vicinity of Central Park West and West 74th Street. When first responders arrived, they discovered a female of approximately 40 to 50 years of age with trauma injuries. She was transported to New York Presbyterian Weil Cornell Medical Center. 

The jogger suffered from critical injuries and the bicyclist remained on the scene. 

The preliminary investigation determined that the bicyclist was traveling south when he struck the jogger. 

The investigation is being conducted by the NYPD and is still ongoing.

A Man Was Killed In A Hit-And-Run Accident On His Way To His Family Business. Driver Is Still At Large.

New York is like many states in that there are laws stating that a driver must stop following an accident. The penalties for leaving the scene can range from a traffic citation in cases where there is just property damage to misdemeanor or felony charges and prison time if someone is seriously injured or killed. In the case where an injury is involved, the charge is a Class B misdemeanor if there are minor to moderate injuries. If the driver has a previous hit-and-run charge, it can be upgraded to a Class A misdemeanor. If there are serious injuries, the charge can be a Class E felony.

CBS Local New York reports that a pedestrian has died after a hit-and-run accident in Brooklyn.

The accident happened on Sunday morning as 26-year-old Jose Contla was crossing 19th Avenue in Bensonhurst. A home surveillance camera captured a dark-colored sedan a split second after the collision. The sedan sped away.

The force of the impact would have left significant front-end damage to the vehicle.

Contla had been working as a baker at the family business on 86th Street. His brother was supposed to meet him at the bakery, but when he arrived, he was met with the police and crime scene tape.

A man whose surveillance cameras caught the fleeing vehicle said that speeding is common on 19th Avenue.

Contla was born and raised in Brooklyn and spent most of his life in the Sunset Park neighborhood.

NYPD Crime Stoppers is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the hit-and-run driver.

A Police Chase Ends With The Death Of Two DJs

Back in the earlier part of the 2000s, statistics indicated that as many as one person per day was killed in an accident attributed to a police chase. Police pursuits generate much media attention, and as such, many police departments had to implement pursuit policy changes. 

Some agencies, such as the NYPD, have enacted policies of no police pursuits. Other agencies have enacted policies that pursuits can only be initiated in the case of a felony, such as a stolen vehicle. They also dictate that officers must discontinue the pursuit when the danger to the general public presents more of a risk than allowing the fleeing suspect to get away. 

Local 10 News reports that two Florida deejays have been killed in a crash linked to a police pursuit. 

The crash happened after 4 a.m. on Sunday along NW 135th Street and NW 22nd Avenue. 

At the time of the accident, Miami Dade Police were tailing a white Dodge Charger whose driver refused to pull over. As the driver fled from police, he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a silver Ford Mustang. 

The impact caused the Mustang to catch fire, killing Edmon McCoy, known as DJ Boogie and Robinson Lazard, known as DJ Styles. 

The two deejays are not linked with the driver of the other vehicle. They were likely innocent victims of the accident. 

The driver of the Charger was also taken to the hospital with injuries.

Assemblyman Blames Crash On His Wife, According To News Report

In New York, they have two possible charges for people who drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. New York has a charge called DWAI, which means driving while ability impaired. This is charged when a person’s blood-alcohol level is .05% to .07%, but not over 0.08%. It can also be charged when a person is under the influence of drugs, but they are not so impaired that a DWI charge could be made. DWI is charged once a person’s blood-alcohol level is above 0.08% and if the suspect is under the influence of drugs and obviously impaired. 

USA Today reports that New York Assemblyman Brian Kolb allegedly attempted to blame a crash on his wife. 

The crash occurred on at about 9:50 p.m. on New Year’s Eve when Assemblyman Kolb was allegedly driving his state-owned vehicle and crashed into a ditch near his home. 

A tow-truck operator who responded to the crash said that the Assembly minority leader was beside a GMC Arcadia. He was slurring his words and tried to blame the mishap on his wife. The tow truck driver stated that he did not witness another person at the scene. The tow truck driver also contact police because the vehicle had struck a guy wire, making the accident a property damage accident. 

A deputy who responded said that Kolb had glassy, bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong odor of alcohol. 

67-year-old Kolb told the officers he’d had 4 or 5 cocktails at the Erie Grill. He had a blood-alcohol content of 0.16%, twice the legal limit. Days before, Kolb had written an op-ed urging citizens to be safe and not to drive drunk on New Year’s Eve. 

The crash led Kolb to step down as minority leader, but he stated that he would not be vacating his seat.

Box Truck Strikes Utility Vehicle In Queens, Worker Killed

At some point, almost all of us have seen the vehicles on the side of roadways or at construction sites. These vehicles have a bucket that can support a man or two and lift them in the air while they make repairs to utility lines. It’s commonly called a cherry picker and as it turns out, that’s exactly what it was invented to do. Jay Eitel spent the summer of 1944 picking cherries by hand with a ladder. He decided there had to be a better way than constantly moving the ladder to get the cherries. At his home in California, he designed the first cherry picker and by 1953 he had established a company providing these vehicles to many utility companies looking for efficient ways of making their repairs.

CBS Local New York reports that a construction worker in a cherry picker was killed when a box truck struck the vehicle in Queens.

Surveillance video caught the horrifying moment that a box truck hit a cherry picker in Queens, sending a construction worker falling to his death. The incident happened at about 2:45 a.m. Thursday morning.

The 59-year-old male victim was standing inside his bucket when a tall box truck approached the intersection of Goldsmith Street and Grand Avenue in Elmhurst.

The impact of the box truck was so strong that it left the cherry picker cracked and dented. Neighbors say that the worker was fixing a traffic light on Grand Avenue when the truck came speeding towards the cherry picker.

The man inside the bucket was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital, where he died from his injuries. He worked for Elsbach Electrical Corporation. Surveillance video showed that the flashing hazard lights on the vehicle were on. There were cones placed at the vehicle’s rear end.

The driver of the box truck remained on scene. So far, no charges have been filed. However, investigators are looking into whether all safety precautions were followed.

Building Collapses After Drunk Driver Crashes Into It

New York has had statutes against drunken driving on the books since 1910, but it continues to struggle with drivers who are intoxicated. In New York, as many as 1/3 of all accidents are caused by an intoxicated driver. In 2013, out of 8,368 drunk driving crashes, 358 were fatal. 4,248 crashes ended in injuries. There were also 3,762 drunk driving accidents that resulted in property damages in excess of $1,000. The property damages include damages that were done to vehicles as well as damages to stationary property, such as buildings.

The NY Daily News reports on a drunken driver in Brooklyn who crashed into a building, demolishing the second-floor apartment. 20-year-old Andrew Baird told authorities that he had been out celebrating his 20th birthday when he “hit a bump” and went flying into a Brooklyn building, causing it to collapse around him.

Baird had been driving a rented BMW, speeding at 63-mph in a 25-mph zone when the accident occurred. He later told police that he had drank three “Henny sours” before driving. He met a friend at a hookah lounge and was “taking him to the store” when he plowed into the closed bodega at Avenue P near East 5th Street around 11:40 p.m. last Wednesday. Thankfully, no one was home in the apartment above the bodega.

Baird and his passenger ran on foot from the scene, but police caught up to Baird a few blocks away. The passenger escaped after cutting through varying backyards. Baird has been charged with criminal mischief, drunk driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving while impaired.

Crash Blamed On Medical Emergency Strikes Scaffolding, Boy In Brooklyn

In many car accident cases, the issue of fault is pretty straightforward. This can be especially true when a traffic violation leads to a wreck. However, in cases where the driver suffered from a medical emergency in the moments just before the accident, liability becomes less clear. Most states recognize “sudden medical emergency” as a defense when an unforeseen medical emergency causes an accident. The rationale behind this is that a person suffering from a medical emergency that causes a crash was not acting negligently at the time of the incident. State statutes vary when it comes to proving the sudden medical emergency, but they almost always require a loss of consciousness.

NBC New York reports that a driver that crashed onto a sidewalk and then into scaffolding may have suffered from a medical emergency.

The incident happened just before 3 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon in Brooklyn. According to police, an SUV jumped the curb and slammed into scaffolding.

10-year-old Enzo Farachio was walking near a bus stop on Ocean Avenue, looking down at his cell phone. The car moved through a traffic light before jumping the curb and striking the boy, then hitting the scaffolding.

Part of the scaffolding came tumbling down onto the SUV. It was outside a six-story structure that was undergoing renovations. The SUV was left lodged beneath the structure.

The 50-year-old driver and his 8-year-old daughter were rushed to a local hospital. Police say that the driver may have suffered from a medical emergency leading to the crash.

Farachio suffered from neck and back trauma. He was rushed to New York Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The crash shut down a number of surrounding streets, including Ocean Avenue between Avenue K and Avenue M.

Crash Fatalities Are On The Rise Though There Are Fewer Cars On The Road

It seems like a simple equation. Fewer cars on the roads should automatically cut the number of accidents. It sounds logical, and amid the COVID-19 lockdowns, this is generally the case in cities across the U.S. and in other countries. However, if the number of crashes are down, then the number of crash fatalities should also be falling by a comparable number, right?

Not so fast. Unfortunately, the cities being shut down and many people staying off the road have brought a rise in the number of people speeding, which has caused the number of crash fatalities to fall in smaller percentages than the overall crash rate, according to USA Streetsblog.

Speed is one of the primary predictors of crash severity. Cities and interstates that are now absent of traffic jams are now wide open in many areas, and speeding has become a constant issue in some communities. This means that the number of people dying in crashes is on the rise in some areas across the nation.

In Minnesota, both the number of car crashes and the number of traffic fatalities have increased since the onset of the virus in the state. Between March 16 and April 7, there were 24 crashes that led to 28 deaths. A year ago, in the same time period, there were just 12 crashes and 13 deaths.

Although fewer people are driving these days in New York City, fatalities haven’t declined as much as hoped. While vehicle miles travels have declined some 80%, pedestrian injuries are only down 28% in the last 28 days. Despite fewer cars being on the roadway, there were more motorists killed between March 2nd and April 8th.

In California, it has been reported that there has been a 50% decline is crash fatalities statewide, despite traffic volume dropping 60%.

Cross Bronx Expressway Crash Ends In Fatality

Car accidents are an unfortunate fact of life and chances are that if you haven’t been in one, you will witness at least one in your lifetime. If you do witness a car accident, keep safety first in mind. Pull over to help, but make sure that your vehicle is safely out of the way and leaves room for emergency responders. Of course, you should immediately dial 911 – seconds could count if injuries are involved. Help out if you feel it is safe to do so. You should also always wait for the police to arrive. Giving a witness statement can be important in determining what happened. Always drive defensively and keep your eye out for accidents so you don’t become part of the collision, as what happened on the Cross Bronx Expressway, as Pix 11 reports.

A five-vehicle crash that occurred early Monday morning on the Cross Bronx Expressway left one person dead and another in critical condition.

Just after 1 a.m., near Webster Avenue, the initial collision took place. Authorities said that after the initial collision, drivers got out of their vehicles to assess the damage. Several other vehicles then crashed into the initial two vehicles.

One person died at the scene of the accident. Another victim suffered from catastrophic injuries and is in critical condition. A third person suffered from serious injuries.

The deceased victim was thrown into oncoming traffic on the other side of the highway.

Initially, the crash caused all lanes to be shut down for cleanup and investigation, but the lanes were cleared, and all lanes reopened around 9 a.m.

Cyclist Crash Leads To Manslaughter Charges In Brooklyn

In 2007, a new DWI offense was created in New York: Aggravated DWI. Aggravated DWI has stricter penalties and restrictions on plea-bargaining. Aggravated DWI is generally charged when the driver has a blood-alcohol content of 0.18% or more. The penalties for an aggravated DWI include up to one year in jail, probation for up to three years, a minimum fine of $1,000, revocation of license for one year, and attendance at a Victim Impact Panel. Aggravated DWI can be charged as a felony if the driver has previous aggravated DWI offenses. Another way that a DWI can be charged as aggravated is if there is a passenger under 15 in the vehicle at the time of the DWI offense.

The NY Daily News reports on a woman facing aggravated DWI and manslaughter charges for running over a cyclist in Brooklyn.

22-year-old Treasure Liggins is facing several charges in connection with a Sunday, June 9th accident.

According to police, Liggins lost control of her 2007 Infiniti G35 on Avenue D near E. 105th Street in Canarsie at about 10:35 p.m.

She slammed into 29-year-old Mohammed Abdullah, who was riding an e-bike and making his last delivery of the night for Uber Eats. After hitting Abdullah, Liggins jumped the curve and hit a building.

Abdullah was sent flying through the air on impact and was rushed to a hospital but could not be saved.

Police allege that Liggins was drunk at the time of the accident. Her blood-alcohol level was just below the legal limit of intoxication at the time of the crash.

Liggins is facing numerous charges including criminally negligent homicide, manslaughter, and aggravated DWI. At the time of the accident, Liggins had her 4-year-old son in the back seat of the car with her.

Abdullah was a Bangladeshi immigrant who had won approval to be in the United States under asylum. According to friends, he was planning on applying for his Green Card this year.

Dashcams Can Back Up Your Version Of A Story

There are several ways that police officers make a determination about who is at fault in a car accident. The first, of course, is the statements of those involved in the crash and other witnesses. They also take a look at the ending positions of the vehicles involved and can make a determination from there. However, what happens in the event of a hit-and-run or when witnesses make false, conflicting, or misleading statements. Even the positions of the vehicles may lead to an error in determining who is at fault. Thankfully, there’s one thing that can back up a person’s version of events. As the New York Times reports, that is the technology of dashboard cameras. 

Two drivers can dispute who had the green light when an accident occurs. If there are no traffic light cameras nearby, who can be believed? If one person has a dashboard camera, that can sometimes provide the only evidence available. 

When it comes to selecting a dash cam to be able to back up your version of events, there are a few things that you should look for in a model. 

Normally, a dash cam records new footage over the oldest footage on its memory card. When a crash is detected, software prevents the footage leading up to the accident from being overwritten. This is a standard feature, and you can always manually save footage. 

Another feature you want to look for is a sharp picture quality. You’ll want to be able to see the license plates of surrounding vehicles. 

You’ll want controls that are easy-to-use. The last thing you want post-accident is to be confused about how to save or download the footage. The best option is a touch-screen model. 

Having a versatile window mount allows you to remove the camera and place it in a safer place if theft is a concern. Suction cup mounts are easier to move around than adhesive mounts but take up more space on the glass. 

Finally, you’ll also want to read reviews and perhaps, talk to friends to see which model they recommend. Although these can be a matter of perspective, they can be helpful in making a choice.

Delivery Driver Accused Of Leaving Scene Of A Fatal Accident

All states have laws against leaving the scene of an accident. In New York, leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage is a traffic infraction. This includes even if the other object is not a vehicle. If the accident involves personal injury, the crime is a misdemeanor charge, which could mean spending up to a year in jail. If the accident involves the death of one or more persons, there could be felony charges which could result in a sentence of seven years in jail.

CBS Local New York reports that a man has been arrested in connection with a North Babylon hit-and-run accident that killed a woman.

26-year-old delivery driver Donnell Hicks of Queens faced a judge on Tuesday. He has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

The charges stem from an incident that occurred as Hicks was making deliveries for his employer, Auto Zone, on Monday afternoon.

According to prosecutors, Hicks admitted to police that he was aware that something was beneath his vehicle after he left the Auto Zone. Still, he continued to drive for a quarter of a mile.

He also admitted that people were yelling at him as he drove down Deer Park Avenue. Hick reportedly then admitted to stopping on a side street, seeing the woman under his van, and leaving her there as he continued to make his deliveries.

The woman that Hicks is accused of hitting and dragging was identified as 40-year-old Ann Marie Christina. She did not survive her injuries.

Police arrested Hicks less than an hour after the incident occurred at the Auto Zone where he was employed.

A judge ordered that Hick’s license be suspended and that he be held on $100,000 bail. He is due back in court on August 2nd.

Distracted Driver Causes Three-Car Crash On I-81

New York is one of many states that has made texting while driving a primary offense. Previously, it was a secondary offense, which meant that police could only pull over a texting driver if they witnessed another traffic violation. Now, a police officer can pull a driver over if they are observed texting. The penalties for texting while driving are a fine of up to $200 and 5 points on the person’s driver’s license. The law appears to be working; in 2017 there were 17,508 citations issued for texting while driving. This number is up 49% from the previous year when there were 11,736 tickets issued.

Syracuse.com reports that a 22-year-old was using a cell phone when they were involved in a 3-car crash on Interstate 81.

The crash occurred on Tuesday, September 10th at about 8:30 p.m. on northbound Interstate 81.

An investigation into the accident found that 22-year-old Darien H. Hill was “preoccupied” with her cell phone while driving a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu. It is unknown at the time what Hill was doing on her cell phone.

Hill swerved her vehicle to avoid a 2019 Toyota truck that was being driven by 50-year-old Joseph F. Thompson. She lost control of the car and slammed into the truck, then struck a guardrail. Her vehicle came to a rest facing south in the northbound lane.

21-year-old Amber Mitchell was driving northbound when she came upon the accident and was unable to stop. She hit Hill’s vehicle, then veered into the driving lane, striking a tow truck.

Mitchell suffered from serious internal injuries and was taken to Upstate University Hospital. There were two passengers in Mitchell’s car, 21-year-old Maddison A. Johnson and a 1-year-old infant were also transported to the hospital.

Hill was given traffic tickets for operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile phone, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Drag Racers Crash In Lincoln Tunnel, Father And Son Arrested

The New York Daily News reports that father and son drag racers have been charged in a crash that occurred in the Lincoln Tunnel.

At about 10 p.m. on February 9th, Fred Ordine and his son Chadwick Quinones were drag racing inside the tunnel’s Manhattan-bound tube. Quinones lost control of his vehicle.

The 25-year-old Quinones posted a dashcam video of him and his father racing neck-and-neck. Just as Quinones’ black Chevrolet Corvette passed his father’s yellow Corvette, he crashed into a car on his left. His vehicle then bounced off the right wall of the tunnel and hit an SUV on his left before spinning out.

The father and son duo left the scene of the accident. About an hour and forty minutes later, they returned to the scene and Quinones admitted to causing the accident. After police reviewed the video, both men were arrested. They have been charged with reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident.

Street racing is illegal in New York. Despite the laws against such activities, movies like the Fast and the Furious franchise and video games have made it a popular hobby. Drag races are generally short, but when crashes occur, they can cause long-term damage. Injuries can include broken bones, cuts, bruises, nerve damage, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal injuries. People involved in the accident like drivers and passengers can also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The high speeds at which drag racing occurs also makes for the perfect opportunity to lose control of the vehicle, causing rollover accidents.

Driver Doesn’t Remember Fatal Drugged Driving Crash

According to the New York City Police Department, each month, there are 100 car accidents that involve alcohol or drugs. On average, a quarter of those accidents are fatal. Those who drove while intoxicated can be held responsible for the damages that they caused, however, New York State Insurance Law §5103 allows for insurance companies to disclaim or refuse coverage when a driver is involved in a DUI accident. This means that while you can sue the driver personally, anyone affected by a DUI crash may not be able to recover compensation from their injuries that result from an accident. Keep in mind that a DUI need not be alcohol-related. Other prescription and illicit drugs can result in a DUI as well.

NBC New York reports on the first court appearance for a New Jersey man accused in a fatal drugged-driving crash in Wayne, New Jersey.

Last Tuesday, 29-year-old James Vanderhee was allegedly high on drugs when he crashed into a Wayne, New Jersey gas station, killing three people.

Vanderhee is facing charges of death by auto while intoxicated, possession of a controlled substance, and aggravated manslaughter, as well as other charges in relation to the deadly crash.

In the court appearance on Monday, prosecutors revealed that Vanderhee’s urine tested positive for opiates, benzodiazepine, and cocaine. The prosecution argued that Vanderhee not be released while awaiting trial. The defense did not object to this recommendation.

Vanderhee was administered Narcan at the scene. According to his attorney, Vanderhee has struggled with addiction to heroin and other drugs for 10 years. He also stated that Vanderhee does not remember the crash but feels profound remorse for those that were killed.

Driver In The Bronx Kills Child In Stroller

New York is a “no-fault” state when it comes to auto insurance. This means that drivers are required to carry a certain amount of personal injury and property insurance which will pay for damages no matter who is at fault. For those who decide to try and drive without insurance, New York has some stiff penalties. If caught, the driver will receive a citation and their driver’s license will be revoked for a period of one year. The fine for the citation is between $150 and $1,500 or 15 days in jail. In order to reinstate the license after the period of revocation, there is a civil penalty of $750 that must be paid to the DMV. If in an accident, the driver will be personally liable for compensating the damages and injuries caused.

The New York Times reports that a driver in the Bronx has been cited in an accident that killed a child in a stroller.

The accident happened last Wednesday when 22-year-old Kier Boneparte lost control of his car, jumped a curb, and pinned the child’s stroller against a brick wall.

According to New York Police, Boneparte was making a right turn on East 215th Street from White Plains Road when he lost control of his vehicle. He hit a parked car, jumped the curb, and struck Djeneba Magassa as her mother pushed her in her stroller.

She and her mother were rushed to Montefiore Medical Center. The child was pronounced dead on arrival. Her mother had minor injuries.

New York Police believed that Boneparte might have been intoxicated at the time of the accident, but blood tests have ruled that out. He has been charged with reckless driving, driving without a license or insurance, and failing to yield to a pedestrian.

He waited on the scene for police to arrive following the accident.

Driver In Trumansburg Charged In A Hit-And-Run Accident

New York has laws that cover possible charges incurred when a person is in an accident and another person is injured. One of the possible charges a driver may face is vehicular assault in the second-degree. This means that the accident was not intentional. However, if the driver of the at-fault vehicle violated the rules and requirements of the road, it can become more than a simple accident due to negligence and lack of proper care. If convicted, the possible penalty for the crime is up to 7 years in a state prison as well as a fine that will not exceed $5,000 per account. Restitution may also be required of the person who is found guilty of this offense.

The Ithaca Voice reports that a man has been arrested after a Trumansburg crash that seriously injured another driver.

The crash occurred Friday afternoon at about 3:48 P.M. in the 8400 block of Perry City Road in the Town of Ulysses.

When officers arrived, they determined that a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado had been traveling west on Perry City Road and collided with a 2008 Jeep Wrangler that had been traveling eastbound.

The driver of the Jeep was airlifted to a Syracuse hospital. He has since been treated and released.

The driver of the Chevrolet fled the scene on foot. Police were able to apprehend 24-year-old Markley D. Doane in the nearby woods. At the time, officers noticed signs of impairment and placed Doane under arrest for driving while intoxicated.

Doane has also been charged with driving while intoxicated with a BAC of .08% or higher, failure to keep right, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, and vehicular assault in the second degree.

Drunk Driver Injured In Rollover Crash With Heavy Truck

New York has some pretty tough penalties when it comes to driving while intoxicated, or DWI charges. A first time DWI is a misdemeanor charge, but if a person gets a second DWI within ten years of the first DWI, that second DWI can be charged as a felony. If it is within five years of the previous DWI, the driver is subject to additional penalties. One of the penalties is a fine of up to $5,000 and a prison term of up to four years. Additionally, there is a probation term of up to five years, revocation of driver’s license for a year, mandatory installation of an ignition interlock, and the driver must attend a victim impact panel. 

The Southampton, New York, Patch reports that an intoxicated driver was injured in a rollover crash with a heavy truck. 

The crash occurred at about 10:40 a.m. on Friday on Country Road 51 in Riverside. 

50-year-old Gregory Lee was driving a 2014 Buick SUV and struck a 2009 International Heavy Truck that was being driven by 27-year-old Kasey Fitzgibbon. Lee was ejected from the vehicle and sustained serious injuries. Fitzgibbon sustained minor injuries in the accident. 

Authorities have charged Lee with felony driving while intoxicated, driving with a suspended license, and driving without an ignition interlock device. He will be arraigned on the charges at a later date.

Drunk Firefighter Crashes Into Pole, Injures Passengers, And Flees The Scene

In New York, the offense for vehicular assault can be charged in two ways. The first is vehicular assault in the second degree, which is a class “E” felony. The second is vehicular assault in the first degree and is a class “D” felony. Vehicular assault in the second degree has penalties that can include up to four years in state prison; first-degree charges can include up to seven years in state prison.

Silive.com reports on an off-duty firefighter facing charges after a drunken 100mph hour crash injured passengers in his vehicle.

28-year-old Omar Juarez Rivera was arraigned Wednesday in the St. George state Supreme Court. The charges he is facing include DWI, leaving an accident scene, first-degree assault, vehicular assault, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving.

The charges stem from a St. Patrick’s Day crash that occurred at about 3:35 a.m. at the intersection of Post and Decker Avenue.

Juarez Rivera plowed into a metal pole while driving a 2012 Mustang. Officers who responded to the crash found three victims laying on the ground at the crash site. Two were seriously injured. One of the victims had a broken leg, the other had a broken arm.

Juarez Rivera fled the scene but was arrested by police less than an hour later. At the time of his arrest, authorities said that there was an odor of alcohol on his breath, his face was flushed, eyes watery, and his speech was slurred.

His BAC was .108%. The legal limit in New York is .08%.

Juarez Rivera was assigned to Engine Co. 160 in Concord. He has been suspended without pay.

DWI Driver Accused Of Manslaughter In Brooklyn Crash

All 50 states and Washington, D.C. make it illegal for a person to drive with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08% or greater. In New York, many factors go into what penalties a person may face if convicted of a DWI. If a driver intoxicated by alcohol or other drugs causes an accident that involves injury, they may be charged with vehicular assault in the second degree, which is a class E felony. If the injuries are serious enough and involve more than one victim, the driver may be charged with vehicular assault in the first degree. If the accident causes the death of another person, the driver may be charged with homicide or manslaughter.

The New York Daily News reports that a Brooklyn driver has been charged with manslaughter and DWI in the death of his passenger.

31-year-old Anthony Wallace was charged Thursday with driving while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter.

Allegedly, Wallace was speeding and intoxicated as he drove his red minivan down Atlantic Avenue beneath the elevated subway tracks in East New York. He veered onto a service road near Georgia Avenue at about 5:10 a.m. last Wednesday.

He then slammed into the back of an unoccupied backhoe. This caused the front of the minivan to cave in on impact, forcing first responders to rip the roof of the minivan off to get to the two men inside.

32-year-old Tyrone “Snuggs” Scott, the passenger in the van, suffered from massive injuries. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Wallace suffered from serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Wallace has an extensive criminal record with more than 20 arrests. The most recent arrest was in March 2018 for an assault that occurred in Brooklyn.

Elderly Woman Struck By Sanitation Truck, Driver Flees

Shortly after taking office, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced his Vision Zero initiative, which hoped to reduce pedestrian fatalities in the city to zero. As part of the plan to reduce those fatalities, the city introduced safety upgrades. Some of these safety upgrades were giving pedestrians head starts at crosswalks, installing an additional 224 high-speed cameras throughout the city, and agreed to a plan to add an additional number of protected bike lanes.

These safety initiatives come at a time when nationally, the number of pedestrian fatalities is at an all-time high. To explain the increase in deaths, researchers point to the popularity of large SUVs and trucks. They also blame both distracted driving and distracted walking as part of the problem.

CBS Local New York reports that police are investigating a deadly hit-and-run in Bensonhurst where an elderly woman was run over by a sanitation truck.

Two pedestrians were killed in accidents in the early morning hours of Wednesday. Police are on the search for the driver of a private sanitation truck that hit and killed 67-year-old Deborah Mutell of Brooklyn.

Police say that the truck dragged Mutell for a time. Officers blocked off the busy intersection of 86th Street and Bay Parkway a little after 4 a.m. to scour the site for clues. They were also reviewing the footage of nearby cameras to see if any captured the accident.

A second pedestrian was killed when she was run over by an MTA bus in Brooklyn about five hours later. The incident occurred near the intersection of Flatbush and Flatlands avenues.

A B-41 bus remained at the scene. According to police, the woman reportedly missed the bus and began running after it. As the bus driver attempted to pull over to stop, the woman forced the doors open. The bus was still moving when she hit a pole and was dragged beneath the rear tires of the bus.

The second victim was not immediately identified.

Fiery Crash Kills One Leaves Other Horribly Injured

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2017, speed was a factor in 9,717 fatalities on U.S. roadways. Speeding has been a factor in one-third of all accidents over the past two decades. Speeding not only breaks the law, but can result in greater fuel consumption, lessen the effectiveness of safety measures like seatbelts and airbags, require greater braking distance, and can also lead to greater risk of losing control of the vehicle. All can prove tragic when an accident occurs. NBC New York reports on a fatal accident where speed is believed to have been a factor.

The accident happened early last Monday at Kings Highway and Tilden Avenue in the East Flatbush area of Brooklyn.

Police say a car plowed into a light pole and was so badly damaged it was barely recognizable as a car.

Police and first responders were caught on camera responding to the crash, where the two victims were taken to the hospital in critical condition. According to the New York Police Department, the 30-year-old passenger later died in the hospital, his name was not released.

The speed limit on King’s Highway is 25 mph leaving the police to believe that speed played a factor and caused the driver to lose control of the car, striking the light pole.

The crash was captured by the security camera of a nearby home, showing the car bursting into flames on impact. Good Samaritans managed to douse the flames so that the occupants could be pulled from the vehicle.

Hit-And-Run Accident Seriously Injured A Woman

New York, like many states, requires that all drivers involved in an accident stop and exchange information. If necessary, they must also contact the police so that a police report can be made. Leaving the scene of an accident involving only property damage is a traffic infraction. However, if the accident involves injuries to another person, that charge becomes a class-B misdemeanor with penalties that can include 90-days in jail and fines of up to $500.

If the victim suffers from “serious injuries” the crime can be elevated even further, to class E felony. This can lead to a sentence of up to 4 years in state prison. If the accident causes someone’s death, the charge can be prosecuted as a class D felony, with a term of up to 7 years in state prison.

The Bayshore, New York Patch reports that a driver has been arrested in a hit-and-run accident that seriously injured a woman.

The accident occurred at about 6:15 A.M. on Monday in Bay Shore. 78-year-old Edward Kadir was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the accident.

Kadir had been driving a 2013 Toyota Venza when he struck 74-year-old Mary Barbato. Barbato was seriously injured and was transported to an unnamed hospital for treatment.

Kadir has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving serious physical injury. He will be arraigned at the First District Court at Central Islip on March 3rd.

Hit And Run Suspect Identified By Police

According to the New York Department of Health website, each year there are 312 vehicle-versus-pedestrian accidents resulting in death. Motor vehicle traffic-related pedestrian injuries result in approximately 3,027 hospitalizations each year. There are 12,506 emergency room visits due to pedestrians being struck by motor vehicles in New York. While Mayor de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative intends to reduce the number of these kinds of accidents, there is still much work to be done to make pedestrians safe from automobile collisions.

The New York Daily News reports on the arrest of a woman involved in a hit-and-run accident with a pedestrian.

49-year-old Julia Litmanovich has a previous history with hit-and-run accidents. 11 years ago, she was involved in an accident where she rear-ended another vehicle on Staten Island and fled the scene. Sometime later, she made a vaguely threatening call to the other driver asking her to take the blame for the accident. She then mentioned the two pit bulls she keeps for safety. For that incident, she pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and was sentenced to one year on probation.

Last month, Litmanovich was caught on camera running a red light. She struck 14-year-old Xin Yi Wang as the teen used a crosswalk to cross the street. The crash forced her into traffic.

Wang was miraculously spared any serious injuries. Video caught Litmanovich exiting her vehicle and hugging the girl. According to witnesses, she stated that she was going to park her car. Instead, she sped away from the accident.

Police arrested Litmanovich on Wednesday, escorting her from her Staten Island home in handcuffs. Wang told police that she now has a fear of crossing the street, has difficulty concentrating in school, and is still struggling with a bruised hip.

Litmanovich is facing numerous charges, including leaving the scene of an accident where an injury occurred, reckless endangerment, assault, reckless driving, failure to yield to a pedestrian, failure to exercise due caution, and speed violations.

Legislation Passes Regarding Limo Safety

New York has a law that generally requires a carrier to obtain “Operating Authority” from the New York State Department of Transportation when passengers are carried for compensation. Inside New York City, these operators are generally licensed by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. These entities endeavor to ensure that drivers are properly trained, vehicles are safe, and passengers will reach their destinations safely. In the wake of two deadly limousine accidents, one that killed 22 people; however, the family members of victims are asking for more safety measures. The New York State Senate finally passed some legislation regarding the issue, according to Buffalo News.

Last Thursday, the New York State Senate passed a nine-bill package intended to make improvements to the safety of the limousine industry. The changes came as part of a push by family members of 20 people who were killed 8 months ago in a limousine crash in Schoharie County.

Relatives of those killed in a 2015 Long Island limousine crash also pushed for the changes.

Only three of the Senate bills have matching legislation in the State Assembly. The measures passed include requiring stretch limos to have GPS systems on board and increasing penalties for traffic infractions.

Other initiatives include expanding the drug-and-alcohol testing of limousine drivers. There is also a bill to create a state hotline for reporting safety and customer service issues.

Another bill includes requirements for seat belts in large limousines as well as requiring drivers who operate limos carrying nine or more passengers to have a CDL. The bill would also increase the state’s ability to impound or immobilize limousines that have a defect that would put the vehicle out of service.

Limo Safety Still Has A Long Way To Go

Recently, the New York State Senate passed regulation reforms to govern limousines and to make travel in these vehicles safer for passengers. The changes include a requirement that a driver must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), mandatory seat belts in vehicles designed for more than 9 passengers, and giving the authority to the New York State Department of Transportation to immobilize a limo that has a defect that has placed it out-of-service. The changes came after two deadly limousine crashes. One occurred in 2015, and the most recent, which claimed 20 lives, occurred last year.

Despite these new regulations, Limousine companies are still not making safety a priority, as CBS Local New York reports.

After a deadly limousine crash in upstate New York claimed 20 lives last year, there is growing concern over industry regulation. State and city officials generally oversee modified stretch limousines. Limousine safety standards vary widely across the country.

Dave Lipsky is an inspector who checks out limousines for the New York Department of Transportation. He says that builders sometimes cut corners, favoring luxury over safety. The placement of minibars and other amenities often come at the sacrifice of safety.

While New York has passed legislation tightening regulations for limousines, Senator Chuck Schumer would like to see tighter standards nationwide. Limousines made to the standards of one state can be driven into another without oversight. Schumer believes there should be a national standard.

The National Transportation Safety Bureau shares Schumer’s concerns. They recommend that limousine passengers use seat belts and head restraints even when not required by law.

Man Charged In Fatal Drunk-Driving Crash That Killed His Son

The Macomb Daily reports that a man has been charged in the fatal crash that killed his son.

32-year-old Arturo Molina Mendez was arraigned from his hospital bed. He is facing charges in the Sunday accident that killed his 7-year-old son. Mendez was driving with his son in a 2015 Kia Optima just after midnight on Sunday. He was driving at speeds over the speed limit on the right shoulder on the eastbound side of Hall Road. At the intersection with Heydenreich Road, he returned to the right turn lane.

After proceeding through the intersection, he struck the curb on the southeast corner of the intersection. The vehicle went slightly airborne and struck a utility pole.

Police arrived on the scene to find the boy unresponsive in the back seat. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital at 12:40 a.m.

Mendez suffered from serious injuries in the accident. He is currently under police guard at the hospital until he is medically released. He is facing charges of operating while intoxicated causing death. The penalty for the charge is 15 years in prison. Mendez had a bond set at $150,000.

Although New York has had drunk driving laws since 1910, the state still struggles with crashes involving drugs and alcohol. Alcohol is responsible for 1/3 of all traffic collisions in New York. In 2013, out of 8,368 crashes that involved alcohol, 358 of those crashes involved fatalities. 4,248 crashes ended with non-fatal injuries. Of the non-fatal crashes involving injuries, 943 were considered to be serious injuries. 1,125 injuries were considered moderate. 2,008 injuries were minor. 172 injuries had an unknown severity. A great majority of alcohol-related crashes occurred over the weekend.

Man Pleads Not Guilty To 16 Charges After Running Into A Group Of Boy Scouts, Killing One

In New York, a charge of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide is basically a charge of 1st Degree Vehicular Manslaughter paired with a charge of Reckless Driving. A person can be charged with Aggravated Vehicular Homicide if they cause the death of at least one person and seriously injure at least one other person. It can also apply if the person killed is under 15 years of age. It is a Class-B felony with a minimum of 5 years to a maximum of 25 years incarceration. Incarceration on an Aggravated Vehicular Homicide charge is mandatory.

NBC New York reports on a man facing multiple charges, including Aggravated Vehicular Homicide in a Long Island crash that killed a Boy Scout.

Thomas Murphy had allegedly spent the day at Swan Lake Golf Club playing golf and drinking large amounts of vodka on September 30, 2018. He allegedly refused a ride home from a colleague before locking himself in his car. On the way home, he swerved onto the shoulder of the road, where he drove into a group of scouts who were walking in single-file along with parents.

12-year-old Andrew Morris succumbed to his injuries, and a 15-year-old suffered from serious injuries in the crash. Another 15-year-old and a 16-year-old also suffered from minor injuries.

On Tuesday, Thomas Murphy once again refused to plead guilty to the 16 charges he is facing. Suffolk County Acting Supreme Court Judge Fernando Camacho accused Thomas of delaying the court case with his refusal to take a plea deal in the case. Thomas is facing charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, second-degree manslaughter, and aggravated driving while intoxicated in addition to 13 other charges. The top charge carries up to 25 years in prison.

Thomas is due back in court on May 2nd. If no plea deal is reached by that time, a trial will begin in June.

Man Sentenced In Hit And Run Death

New York has laws governing what a person must do following an auto accident, such as remaining at the scene and exchanging information. If such an accident results in injuries or death, it can be difficult to file a claim with the fleeing driver’s insurance. In this case, New York requires that all drivers carry Personal Injury Protection insurance of at least $50,000. New York law also requires that uninsured motorist insurance be purchased, which can also be used to file a claim. In the event that the hit-and-run driver is located, they will face not only the criminal charges, but they may be personally liable for damages.

CBS Local New York reports on a man who has been sentenced in a hit-and-run accident trial.

On Monday, Daniel Coppolo received 5 to 15 years in the hit-and-run death of 18-year-old Taranjit Parmar.

In November 2017, Parmar and Coppolo got into a fender bender on the Hempstead Turnpike. After Parmar exited her Jeep to exchange information, Coppolo ran her over and fled the scene.

Police later found Coppolo’s vehicle in a parking lot in Westbury, where he had abandoned the vehicle after trying to conceal the damage. He was arrested while shoplifting.

At the time of the accident, Coppolo was on the phone with her mother, who overheard her daughter’s cries for help.

In April, Coppolo, who had been an emergency services dispatcher for FDNY, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter. Coppolo admitted to fleeing the scene, robbing a Target store, and then abandoning his pickup truck.

Coppolo is diagnosed as having bipolar disorder and had stopped taking his medications.

Many Rideshare Vehicles In New York Operating Under Recalls

Taxis and ride-hailing services provide both a valuable service and convenience. For those who live in the city and don’t want the additional cost of an automobile, they provide a way to get to and from work and other errands. For those who have perhaps had a little too much to drink, they provide an invaluable and life-saving ride home. Many people get into and out of vehicles driven by Uber and Lyft drivers believing that these vehicles are impeccably maintained and safe. Unfortunately, Consumer Reports found the opposite may be true, as CBS Local San Francisco reports.

According to Consumer Reports, one in six Uber and Lyft drivers in the New York and Seattle area are driving vehicles with outstanding recalls.

The report went on to detail that many of these recalls involve possibly critical safety defects like Takata airbags and possible engine failure.

The report is careful to mention that the one in six number is on par with the rest of the vehicles on the road. However, it does say that both Uber and Lyft are placing their passenger’s safety at risk.

Uber said that when a driver’s vehicle has a recall that is serious enough to trigger a “do not drive” warning, they deactivate the driver. Lyft said that it inspects vehicles in New York and Seattle before they are allowed on the road with passengers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that it has the authority to issue recalls but has no direct oversight over companies like Uber or Lyft.

If consumers are concerned about the safety of a vehicle, they can download the myCarfax app. By punching in the license plate of the vehicle, they can see if there are any open recalls or safety issues before getting in the car.

Mayor’s Drivers Allegedly Covered Up Accident

As Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio decided to tackle the epidemic of serious injuries and fatalities that have plagued New York City’s streets. Since driver behaviors such as speeding and failure to yield to pedestrians account for 70% of pedestrian fatalities, that is one major point that de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative hoped to tackle. In addition to educational initiatives, the program includes stepped up police enforcement for speeding, distracted driving, and other violations. Improving street design is also another point of the initiative. While the goal is safer streets for pedestrians, it seems that de Blasio’s own drivers aren’t following the laws, according to a report by the New York Daily News.

On a Saturday in August 2015, de Blasio’s police SUV was driving the wrong way with lights and sirens activated when it got into a collision with a boiler truck. The incident then allegedly sparked a cover-up involving de Blasio and the New York Police Department team responsible for his safety.

NYPD Det. Edger Robles was driving west on eastbound E. 135th street in an unmarked black SUV when he collided with a boiler truck at Fifth Avenue. At the time of the accident, de Blasio and two other detectives were in the vehicle. The accident report indicated that the boiler truck was making a legal left turn onto 5th street when the SUV collided with it. The driver of the boiler truck blamed Robles for the accident and in turn, Robles blamed the other driver. The police report listed Robles as the at-fault driver in the accident.

Text messages that were recovered following the accident indicate that the commanding officer of the unit, Inspector Howard Redmond, ordered that the accident be covered up. Sources said that Redmond feared the public backlash at the accident in light of de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative.

Medics Were Injured When An Ambulance Crashed Into A Building

New York has laws covering what motorists should do in the event that an emergency vehicle approaches them with their lights flashing. When the laws are broken, charge a traffic violation called failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. If a driver sees an emergency vehicle approaching them from behind, they should slow and move over to the right and stop as soon as possible. Drivers who violate this law could face substantial fines. In addition, it can result in a total of three points on the person’s license. These points can result in a suspension of the driver’s license if too many are accrued in a short time frame.

The Brooklyn Paper reports that an ambulance crash that occurred in Brooklyn resulted in the injury of two medics.

The crash happened at about 1:45 p.m. on April 7th as the ambulance was speeding northbound on Flatbush Avenue on an emergency call.

An unidentified red vehicle swerved into the path of the ambulance, causing the driver of the ambulance to lose control of the vehicle. It then crashed into a Mercedes Benz SUV that was parked. After this collision, the ambulance then crashed into a building.

63rd Precinct police and NYU Langone ambulance responded to the crash. The medics were treated for minor injuries. The ambulance was seriously damaged.

Assist Ambulance operates the vehicle that was involved in the crash. The agency had been backing up city paramedics during the pandemic.

The vehicle that cut off the ambulance did not crash into any other vehicles and left the scene.

Police are still investigating.

MMA Fighter Desmond Green Facing 19 Charges, 13 Of Them DUI-Related

New York has two different charges for those that drink and drive. The first is just a traffic infraction, known as driving while ability impaired, or DWAI. It is charged when a person is not at the legal limit for being intoxicated but is displaying signs of impairment. Driving while intoxicated is a criminal charge and is usually charged when a person has reached a blood-alcohol level of 0.08%. However, multiple DWAI charges can result in a simple traffic infraction becoming a criminal charge, along with increasing the fines and penalties a person would face.

The Miami Herald reports on an MMA fighter from Rochester, New York, facing a total of 19 charges, including 13 DUI charges.

MMA fighter Desmond Green is facing the litany of charges in connection with a fatal accident last August that killed two people. The charges include 13 DUI charges and 3 drug charges.

Regardless of sobriety, Green should not have been driving because his license was suspended. He’d received a ticket for driving on a suspended license just 16 days before the fatal accident.

On August 18, 2018, Green was unable to maintain his lane as he drove beneath the Sheridan Street I-75 overpass. At around 6:05 a.m., Green’s Dodge Durango clipped an International Prostar. Green’s vehicle then swerved across the road, hitting a metal guardrail, then veered back into traffic. It subsequently hit a 2005 Acura 3.2 TL, a 2017 Volkswagen Jetta, and a 2007 Toyota Yaris.

67-year-old Emelina Morfa and 76-year-old Emma Suarez Hernandez were pronounced dead at the scene. Though they wore their seatbelts, they died from multiple blunt force injuries.

Officers allege that following the accident, a witness observed Green throwing a grinder with marijuana residue out of the vehicle. A bag of cocaine was also found on the seat of the vehicle Green was driving. He allegedly smelled of alcohol, according to officers. His blood tested positive for cannabinoids.

The charges that Green faces include two counts of DUI manslaughter (unlawful blood alcohol level), two counts of DUI manslaughter, and four counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury. He is also facing drug charges for cocaine and marijuana.

More People Testing Positive For Marijuana After Fatal Crashes

Currently, the recreational use of marijuana is legal for adults over the age of 21 in eleven states. 33 other states have legalized the use of marijuana for approved medical conditions. Although the use of marijuana has been made legal in many states, the act of driving while under the influence of marijuana is still illegal. According to the CDC, marijuana can impair a person’s ability to drive because it can slow reaction time and the ability to make decisions. It can also distort perception and lead to memory loss and difficulty in problem-solving. There is currently no approved roadside test for a driver being under the influence of marijuana.

Niagara Frontier Publications reports that a study has revealed that after legalization, the number of fatal car crashes where a driver tested positive for marijuana has increased. New research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety showed that a growing number of Washington state drivers are testing positive for recent marijuana use following fatal crashes.

Since legalized marijuana began in Washington in December 2012, the number of drivers testing positive for THC following deadly crashes has doubled. This raises significant concerns given that marijuana is now legal in 11 states and Washington, D.C.

Between 2008 and 2012, before the drug was legalized, the number of drivers who tested positive for THC was 8.8%. Between 2013 and 2017, that number rose to 18%. The study only looked at the numbers of drivers who were tested and found to have THC in their system following an accident. It did not look into whether marijuana intoxication contributed to the accident.

Mother Dies Ten Days After Hit-And-Run Accident

ABC 7 New York reports that a mother of four has succumbed to her injuries ten days after a hit-and-run accident.

Ten days following a hit-and-run crash, 50-year-old Vabita Arjune succumbed to the injuries sustained in the accident.

On Monday, October 28th, Arjune was running errands on her day off from her job as a home health care aide. As she crossed the intersection at Liberty Avenue and Crescent Street, a car plowed into her.

The impact tossed her right into the intersection. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene.

Investigators believe that the driver was behind the wheel of a 2014-2015 Hyundai Sonata. The driver’s side mirror will be damaged.

The family of Arjune is pleading with the driver to turn themselves in.

New York, like many states, has laws covering what a driver must do in the event of an accident. For accidents that involve damage to property, injury to a domesticated animal, injury to other persons, or death to other people, charges against the driver can be filed if they do not remain at the scene.

If the accident involves property damage only, the charge is just a traffic violation. The violation comes with a $250 file and 15 days in jail.

If the accident involves minor injuries, it is a class A misdemeanor. If the accident caused major injuries, it is a class E felony. Accidents involving death are a class D felony.

New Car Seat Law Starts Today

13 Wham reports that the new law regarding rear-facing car seats in New York begins on November 1st. Rachel Muni of Churchville, New York supports the new car seat law soon to go into effect in New York. The law states that a rear-facing car seat will no longer be a recommendation for children under 2. It will be required for children under two years of age.

Capt. Mike Dinsmore with Henrietta Fire District says that rear-facing car seats best protect the head, neck, and spine in an accident. According to the New York State DMV assistant communications commissioner, 89% of more than 1,000 car seats that were checked were installed improperly. Dinsmore stated that fire agencies and other agencies will show parents and caretakers how to properly install the car seat.

Experts recommend that parents and caretakers keep their children in rear-facing car seats even if they’re older than 2 as long as they are still in the height and weight requirements.

Car seats are integral to saving the lives of children according to the Centers for Disease Control. In 2017, there were 675 children aged 12 or younger killed in motor vehicle crashes. Nearly 116,000 were injured. Of those children who died in a crash in 2017, 35% were not buckled up or in a child safety seat. Another statistic regarding children being appropriately restrained is that 45% of black and 46% of Hispanic children were not buckled up. 26% of white children were not buckled up in 2017. According to the CDC, a good number of car seats are installed incorrectly.

New Safety Feature May Reduce Hot Car Deaths

It’s summertime and that means one thing for many people: hot weather. According to a 2018 study published in the journal Temperature, an average of 37 children die in the United States every year. Their cause of death is usually heat stroke due to being left in hot vehicles.

The study also looked at how quickly temperatures can rise inside vehicles. On a day that the temperature reached 95 degrees, the inside of the car reached 116 degrees within an hour of being in the direct sun. A car’s dashboard can get even hotter, reaching a scalding 157 degrees and the steering wheel can reach 127 degrees. Even in the shade, cars reached temperatures of 100 degrees within one hour. 

ABC 7 New York reports that automaker Nissan has added safety features that hope to prevent children from dying in hot car deaths. Nissan has introduced a “rear door alert” technology that is now standard on 10 of its 2019 model vehicles. The patented safety feature was first installed in the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder. It provides two levels of warning to alert drivers. 

The system works via sensors that recognize when the rear passenger doors are opened and closed. At the end of the trip, a warning light in the dash lets drivers know to check the rear seat for all articles. 

If the sensor does not detect that the rear door has been opened again, the vehicle will then alert the driver through a series of audible honks. The honking will continue until the driver returns to the vehicle and opens and closes the rear door. 

Nissan plans to have this alert system as a standard option in all vehicles by 2022. 

New York Man Blamed For Hilton Head Pedestrian Crash

New York law requires that drivers have insurance in order to drive legally. However, if a person is involved in a hit-and-run accident, it may be difficult to recover damages for their injuries. While New York also requires a policy that covers $50,000 in Personal Injury Protection as well as $50,000 in uninsured motorist protection, what happens if the injuries exceed that amount? If police are able to catch the hit-and-run driver, compensation may be sought through a liability lawsuit against the driver. Additionally, if the person was a pedestrian and does not have car insurance, the person may be able to receive compensation through the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Act.

The Island Packet reports on a New York man for a hit-and-run accident that seriously injured a pedestrian.

28-year-old Taylor James Schumacher of Penfield, New York, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing great bodily injury. The charge is a felony.

The charge stems from a Saturday night accident near Sea Pines Circle in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Schumacher was allegedly behind the wheel of a 2016 Chevrolet pickup truck that hit a pedestrian in the westbound lanes of Palmetto Bay Road. The incident occurred at about 10:50 p.m. on July 6th.

Beaufort County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a request from the Highway Patrol asking for assistance in locating the vehicle involved in the accident. The truck registered to Schumacher was found in the Walgreen’s parking lot across the street from the accident scene. Deputies located Schumacher nearly 500 feet from where the crash occurred.

Schumaker passed a field sobriety test and a breathalyzer revealed a 0.00 BAC.

The possible penalties for hit and run in South Carolina range from 30 days to 10 years in jail and fines ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Schumacher may also have his driver’s license revoked if convicted.

New York Senate Passes Rear Passenger Seatbelt Requirement

There has always been a myth that riding in the back seat of a vehicle is less dangerous than riding in the front. Most states now require front-seat passengers to wear seat belts or face a costly traffic citation. The truth is that back seat passengers might be up to three times more likely to suffer from fatal injuries in a car wreck if they are not properly belted in. Back seat passengers who are not restrained may be thrown over the front seats and into the dashboard or windshield at a greater velocity than front-seat passengers. This can cause them to suffer greater injury than front-seat passengers.

Niagara Frontier Publications reports that the New York State Senate has passed rear passenger seatbelt requirements for passengers 16 years of age and older.

The new law, championed by AAA New York State, is headed to Governor Cuomo’s desk for a signature.

The law will require all backseat passengers aged 16 and older to wear a seat belt. The law applies to passengers in Uber and Lyft vehicles.

The law was written in the hopes of helping to reduce the number of deaths of backseat passengers in traffic accidents. Over the past decade, there have been 300 backseat passengers killed and over 25,000 backseat passengers injured when they were unsecured.

The current fine for an unbuckled front seat passenger is $50. The fine will remain the same for backseat passengers. New York joins 30 other states that have similar laws.

According to statistics, teens and young adults aged 16 to 24 are least likely to use a seatbelt and are more likely to die compared to any other age group in the United States.

Backseat passengers who fail to buckle up are twice as likely to suffer from fatal injury and eight times more likely to suffer from a serious injury. They are also twice as likely to kill a front seat passenger. An accident turns an unbelted back seat passenger into a projectile.

Off-Duty Officer Killed In Racing Crash, Woman’s Foot Severed In Incident

Syracuse.com reports that an off-duty officer was killed, and another woman’s foot was severed in a New York City crash. The crash occurred on the northbound FDR Drive at about 2:30 a.m. on Saturday.

The 25-year-old officer was speeding when he lost control of his vehicle and mounted the center median. First responders who came to the scene after the 911 call found the driver unconscious and unresponsive. Two passengers were ejected from the vehicle and ended up in the southbound lanes.

All three of the victims were rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where the driver was pronounced dead on arrival. His name was not immediately released, but police said he was an officer with the New York Police Department.

The two passengers identified as a male and a female were in serious but stable condition. The woman’s foot was reportedly severed.

One report indicated that the off-duty officer was racing against another vehicle when the crash occurred.

With the popularity of movies like the Fast & Furious franchise, street racing has become a popular illegal activity. While the dangers of street racing may seem self-evident, it poses unique risks that aren’t worth taking. The first is that street racing often takes place at speeds in excess of 100 m.p.h. The faster that a car is traveling, the more potential damage can be done to other vehicles and occupants.

While the victims are often drivers of the racing vehicles, onlookers are also likely to suffer from harm. Large groups of onlookers are known to attend underground street racing events, putting them in harm’s way from crashes and the flying debris that can accompany them.

One Construction Worker Is In Critical Condition After A Rear-End Collision

With nearly 2.8 million rear-end collisions reported every year in the United States, these collisions are the most common type of collision. They account for 28% of all car crashes annually. Rear-end collisions are also responsible for approximately 950,000 injuries and 2,000 deaths each year according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Some primary causes of rear-end collisions include distraction by devices like cellphones, road construction, and reduced speed areas. Another major factor in rear-end collisions is a driver’s indiscretion in keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, being unable to make a sudden stop. Rear-end collisions can cause an assortment of injuries, including brain injuries, spinal injuries, broken bones, and nerve damage.

The New York Daily News reports that a crash on New York’s RFK Bridge has left construction workers hospitalized, one with critical injuries.

The crash occurred on the RFK Bridge at 8:00 A.M. on Saturday morning as construction crews prepared to work.

The construction crew had parked their vehicle when a moving company van slammed into the back of their flatbed truck. Two workers identified as a 44-year-old and a 55-year old were standing on the back of the flatbed. They were thrown into the roadway.

The younger of the two men was taken to Elmhurst hospital with critical injuries. The older worker was listed in serious condition.

A 38-year-old female that had been driving the flatbed truck and two other workers were also injured.

A 25-year-old man that was driving the box truck remained at the scene. No charges have been filed as of yet.

One Dead And 2 Injured After Horrible Crash

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advocates seat belt use for all passengers and drivers of motor vehicles. In 2016, 23,714 drivers and passengers were killed in auto accidents, and more than half of teens and adults killed in auto accidents were not wearing seat belts. Seat belt use can reduce serious injuries in an auto accident by about half. New York has primary seat belt laws covering drivers and front seat passengers who are 16 years of age or older. If you are not wearing a seat belt in New York, a police officer can pull you over for this reason and issue a citation.

The Daily Freeman reports on a crash in New Paltz that left one passenger dead and two others injured.

The accident happened on Friday, March 29th while the vehicle was stopped at a stop sign on Oakwood Terrace.  26-year-old Jade Randazzo was riding in the back seat of the Toyota which was stopped at the intersection Of Henry W. Dubois Drive and Oakwood Terrace. The vehicle was rear-ended by a 2008 Volvo, which pushed the Toyota off of the roadway and into a group of trees where it overturned.  Randazzo was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The driver of the Toyota suffered major injuries and was taken to Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. The driver of the Volvo also suffered head and arm injuries and was taken Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital.

Randazzo and the two drivers were not wearing seat belts and speed may have been a factor in the crash, which is still under investigation.

One Driver Is Dead And Two Others Injured After A Crash

According to research done by the advocacy group the Storefront Safety Council, the number of times vehicles crash into buildings is staggering. The data indicate that drivers crash their cars into buildings on average, 60 times per day. These crashes kill as many as 500 people per year and leave 4,000 injured. Seniors are represented in 40% of all these crashes, while people aged 30-60 account for 31% and drivers under 30 represent 29%. The leading cause among many of these crashes was operator error, in the case of seniors, mistaking the gas and brake pedals. Another two other factors were distracted driving and intoxication, with the latter cause accounting for 16% of accidents involving cars that crash into buildings.

Pix 11 reports that a multi-vehicle accident that sent a van into a Queens store left one person dead and two others injured.

The deadly crash happened early Thursday in the area of Jamaica Avenue 134th Street.

An investigation concluded that a man was driving his Lexus west when he disregarded a traffic light and collided with the back of a Toyota. The driver then continued traveling into the eastbound lanes of Jamaica Avenue. He then struck a Honda van, where the collision sent the van into the front of a check-cashing store.

The driver of the Lexus suffered from fatal injuries in the accident. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The two other drivers were injured, but they are in stable condition at area hospitals.

Passenger From Westmoreland Crash Died From Injuries

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States, according to the CDC. In 2017 alone, 2,364 teens aged 16-19 were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Another 300,000 were treated for car crash injuries in emergency rooms. Teenage male drivers are more at risk for death in car crashes than females, with the death rate for male drivers in 2017 being more than two times the rate for female drivers. Another factor that increases the likelihood of a crash was the presence of teen passengers. With more passengers, the risk increased.

CNY Homepage reports that a second victim in a fatal Westmoreland crash had died from his injuries.

The crash occurred Friday afternoon in Westmoreland at the intersection of Dix Road and Bartlett Road.

According to state police, 42-year-old Hector Rodriguez was driving a pickup truck along Bartlett Road and then stopped at the stop sign at Dix Road. As he proceeded into the intersection, his truck was struck by a car being driven by 17-year-old Lincoln Armstrong.

Armstrong had been driving southbound on Dix Road at a high rate of speed. 19-year-old Noah Lekki was a passenger in Armstrong’s vehicle.

Lekki was taken to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse by medical helicopter in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries on Friday night.

Rodriguez died at the scene of the accident.

Armstrong suffered from major injuries and was in serious condition at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica.

The State Police state that speed and other factors contributed to the crash. The investigation is still ongoing.

Police Blame Pedestrian For Crash In Brooklyn

Vehicle on vehicle collisions are a serious problem, but the odds of death or serious injury begin to rise sharply when autos collide with pedestrians. Improved technology and law enforcement play a major role in crosswalk safety, but the most impact comes from public education. Pedestrians are urged to always use marked crosswalks when crossing a street, no matter how busy. Making eye contact with drivers also increases safety and reinforces the driver’s awareness of pedestrian presence. It is imperative to obey all traffic signals when crossing as well, or else results like this might happen.

The NYC Streets Blog reports that police are blaming the pedestrian victim of a crash in Brooklyn. 

Last week, the New York Police Department blamed a pedestrian for a fatal accident in Brooklyn. The department said that the pedestrian crossed outside of the crosswalk, however, there is no crosswalk at the intersection where the accident occurred. 

Last Thursday, Phillip Simone was crossing Avenue V to get to Ford Street when he was hit by the driver of a SUV. The driver was heading eastbound on the avenue when he slammed into Simone. 

The driver remained on the scene. The pedestrian was taken to Coney Island Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries the next day. 

A spokesperson for the NYPD said information such as the driver’s speed or whether the driver was distracted was not available because the investigation is ongoing. They did confirm that the driver was currently not facing any charges. 

Prosecutors are often reluctant to bring charges in these types of accidents unless there is clear evidence that the driver was aware he was driving recklessly. 

Prison Sentence Handed Down For Striking Officer Who Was Patrolling For Drunk Drivers

New York has several different charges that can apply to a person who is driving while intoxicated. The state even has a law for operating a snowmobile while impaired. One of the charges that can carry some severe penalties is a charge called aggravated DWI. Aggravated DWI comes into play when a person is driving with a blood-alcohol level of at least 0.18%. The legal limit for alcohol in New York is .08%. The penalty for a conviction of aggravated DWI includes a misdemeanor criminal conviction, one-year driver’s license revocation, requirement to install an ignition interlock device, three years of probation, up to one year in jail, and a fine of at least $1,000.

ABC 7 New York reports that a man has been sentenced to 6 to 12 years in a DWI crash that seriously injured a police officer.

30-year-old Keith Dillon was sentenced on Friday, September 6th to a term of six to twelve years in state prison. Dillon pleaded guilty on May 13th to charges stemming from a January 1, 2018 crash.

The crash permanently injured officer Will Gomes. Gomes was patrolling for intoxicated drivers when Dillon slammed into Gomes’ vehicle head-on. Dillon was traveling at least 70 m.p.h. when he crossed into oncoming traffic and striking Gomes.

At the time of the crash, Dillion had a blood-alcohol level of .27% while also impaired by Xanax.

The force of the collision pushed Gomes’ police vehicle 50 feet backward and caused it to rotate 180 degrees. Dillon’s vehicle flipped over and came to a stop 30 to 40 feet away from the officer’s vehicle.

Gomes, 38, suffered a brain bleed, broken elbow, and leg fractures. He required several surgeries to repair the leg fractures.

Dillon pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated vehicular assault, second-degree assault, and aggravated DWI.

Prosecutor Says Limo Driver Not Exonerated By Brake Work Report

On October 6, 2018, a limousine carrying 17 passengers crashed in Schoharie, killing all of the passengers, the driver, and two pedestrians. This made the incident the deadliest transportation accident since 2009. Investigation indicated that there had been several pre-existing problems with the limousine. There were also problems that caused the New York DMV to take the vehicle out of service, but the owner of the company used the limousine any way. Due to this accident, there have been a number of lawsuits filed against the owner of Prestige Limo, the driver’s estate, and the company that allegedly performed a vehicle inspection prior to the accident. The owner of the company is also facing criminal charges. 

CBS 6 Albany reports that the Schoharie County DA has said that the owner of the limousine company has not been exonerated by recently revealed evidence. 

Evidence given by a former manager of the Mavis Discount Tire where the limousine was inspected indicated that critical brake work had not been completed. Additionally, the employee said that records were falsified to say that the work had been done. 

The attorney for the defense has said that this information exonerates the owner of Prestige Limousine. However, the Schoharie County District Attorney Susan Mallery said the recent revelation does not exonerate him. 

State experts say that the crash was caused by catastrophic brake failure. However, the District Attorney’s office contends that if a new brake cylinder was not installed, it may have been because it was not needed. 

She also says that if Hussein had completed the required state inspection, deficiencies would have been detected and the crash would not have occurred. 

Putnam Woman Accused Of Leaving The Scene Of An Accident

New York has laws that require for people involved in a traffic accident to stop and share their insurance and license information with the other parties involved. New York law provides for serious penalties for those that do not stop and share information. If there is just property damage involved, it is considered a traffic violation and a citation will be issued. The fine is up to $250 and/or up to 15 days in jail. Leaving the scene of an accident with minor injuries is a misdemeanor. If there are serious injuries, leaving the scene of an accident is a class E felony. Leaving the scene of an accident involving death is a class D felony. Felonies are punishable by higher fines and prison time.

The Yorktown-Somers Patch reports that a Putnam woman is accused of leaving the scene of an accident.

28-year-old Erin Caitlin White is accused of leaving the scene of an accident involving a pedestrian.

At around 6 p.m. on Thursday, a police officer was dispatched to Lexington Avenue, where a pedestrian had been run over by a vehicle. The pedestrian suffered from injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening and was taken to Westchester Medical Center.

As police conducted their investigation, White returned to the scene of the accident. Police reported that White had been the one to hit the pedestrian and left the scene before police arrived.

She was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury, a misdemeanor. She was released on her own recognizance and is due back in Yorktown Justice Court on January 23rd.

Queens Accident Leaves Teen Pinned, Two Others Injured

While head-on collisions with another vehicle and T-bone crashes cause traumatic and even catastrophic damages and injuries, one in five crashes are single-vehicle crashes. More than 8,000 people a year die in single-vehicle rollover crashes each year in the United States. Run off-road single-vehicle crashes account for approximately 70% of all fatal single-vehicle crashes. The other 30% involve single-vehicle crashes where the vehicle remains on the road. Speeding, driving while intoxicated, and driving drowsy are some of the top causes of single-vehicle crashes. Another major factor in single-vehicle accidents is driver distraction. Younger drivers and older drivers have the highest number of single-vehicle crashes.

NBC New York reports that a 17-year-old was pinned, and 2 other teens were injured in an accident on a Queens street.

The crash occurred Wednesday afternoon at Cook Avenue and 73rd Place in Middle Village.

Neighbors say that the narrow street with no sidewalks and utility poles at the curbs is the site of frequent accidents.

According to police, the three teenagers had just left Christ the King Kids daycare where they all worked. The location of the daycare is less than a mile from the scene of the accident.

Witness Barney Marroney lives on the street where the accident occurred. His surveillance camera began recording when he left the home to see what was the cause of the loud boom that he heard.

Two of the teens walked away from the crash, including the driver. However, a 17-year-old female was trapped inside the vehicle. Marroney attempted to help the girl, holding her head in place and reassuring her that help was on the way.

Neighbors say that they have been trying to get the Department of Transportation to install speed bumps on the street, which is prone to accidents.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Salina Crash Shows Why You Need To Move Over When Approaching An Accident

Syracuse.com reports that a trooper has been injured while investigating a crash in Salina. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning on the Onondaga Lake Parkway.

Photos posted by the state police in a Tweet indicate that the trooper’s vehicle appeared to have been rear-ended. The police officer suffered from minor injuries. The crash that the officer was investigating had been reported at 7:78 a.m. on Onondaga Lake Parkway near Interstate 81. The crash involving the officer’s vehicle was reported at 8:20 a.m. State police reinforced that drivers should move over when they see an emergency vehicle to avoid causing another crash.

In 2010, New York enacted a law called the “Ambrose-Searles Move Over Act.” The act was named in honor of Trooper Robert W. Ambrose and Deputy Sheriff Glen M. Searles, both of whom were killed in the line of duty after they were struck by a vehicle while they were stopped on the shoulder of the road. In 2012, the law was amended to include not just police, fire, and ambulance vehicles, but also hazard vehicles displaying caution lights such as tow trucks. The law basically states that drivers need to exercise due care to avoid a collision with an emergency vehicle on the side of the road. The motorist must move one full lane away from the vehicle as long as it is safe to do so and does not violate other traffic laws.

Sanitation Truck Crashes Off Overpass, Blocks Holiday Traffic And Injures Many

According to the New York State Department of Health, traffic accidents are the leading cause of fatal injury among New York residents. In a 2017 report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were 993 fatal crashes in the state that resulted in 999 deaths. Among those fatalities, 24% were pedestrians. 18% of the accidents involved SUV or pickup occupants. Another 15% involved persons on a motorcycle. Only one percent involved large trucks. The largest percentage of these crashes involved only a single vehicle. When it comes to multi-vehicle crashes, 56% of fatalities involved an intoxicated driver.

ABC News reports that a garbage truck overturned on the NYC Lincoln Tunnel, snarling holiday traffic.

On Wednesday before the Fourth of July holiday, 12 people were injured when a sanitation truck lost control and veered off of a highway overpass near Lincoln Tunnel.

Two people were inside the vehicle, operated by the Union City Department of Public Works when it crashed through a guardrail and landed in the westbound lanes of Highway 495 in Union City, New Jersey.

Below, three people in vehicles and at least five people who were on a bus behind the crash were checked out for injuries. At least three people were injured critically, but the nature of their injuries wasn’t immediately clear.

Traffic backup from the crash closed the Port Authority Bus Terminal due to buses being unable to get out of the city.

The tunnel was not reopened to traffic until about 7 p.m. on Wednesday, impacting holiday travel for hours.

School Bus Accident Where 5 Were Injured Is Still Under Investigation

New research backs up the assertion that the school bus is the safest way for students to get to and from school. Data collected from varying school systems from August 1st to June 30th reported the data that only a fraction of 1% of all students who ride the bus were injured during the 2018-2019 school year. That school year, there were 1,365 crashes that were reported to have occurred. 2,551 people, including both bus passengers and passengers of other vehicles, were injured. 1,726 of those were children riding the school bus, but those injuries were minor. 26 million children ride a school bus each day.

The Mid-Hudson Valley Patch reports new details of a school bus accident that injured five students.

More details have been released in the crash that occurred last Tuesday morning at about 7:45 A.M., though the cause is still undetermined.

The bus, which was serving the Germantown Central School District, had 20 students on board at the time of the accident. The bus rolled over on Church Avenue in Germantown.

Four of the students riding the bus had minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment. The other sixteen students were taken to Germantown Central School and evaluated by the school nurse.

Four of those students were released to their parents to be taken for evaluation at hospitals.

The remaining 12 children either went home with their parents or returned to classes.

The bus is being inspected by the state Department of Transportation and Troop K Commercial Vehicle Enforcement.

School Bus Tips Over After Rear-End Accident In Sullivan County

NBC New York reports that police responded to an accident involving a school bus in Sullivan County. The accident happened on Thursday morning in the eastbound lanes of Route 17 in Sullivan County between exits 112 and 113.

Officials stated that a pickup truck rear-ended the school bus, forcing it into a guardrail, which caused the bus to overturn. The children who were injured ranged in ages from 6 to 17. They were taken to a hospital and later released. The bus driver and the bus monitor also suffered from minor injuries.

The bus was en route from Fallsburg to BOCES at the time of the accident. The driver of the truck did not suffer from any injuries. He was cited for following too closely.

According to the National Safety Council, there were 117 people killed nationwide in school bus accidents during 2018. The NSC classifies a crash as a school bus crash when a vehicle, regardless of body type, that is used for school transportation is involved. These accidents do include children boarding or exiting the vehicle. Between 2009 and 2018, 70% of those killed in school bus accidents were in vehicles other than the school bus. 17% of those killed were pedestrians. 5% of those killed were school bus passengers, 4% were school bus drivers, and 2% were bicyclists. Of those who were injured between 2007 to 2016, 35% were school bus passengers and 8% were drivers. 50% were made up of the people in other vehicles.

Second Officer This Month Dies From Auto Accident

Police officers often risk their lives on a daily basis. However, the leading cause of police officer deaths in the line of duty may be surprising. The primary cause, most years, is vehicle crashes. According to the CDC, in the last 10 years, there has been one law enforcement officer killed every week in crashes that occurred while they were on-duty. Between 2007 and 2016, there were 1,512 law-enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. 460 of these were due to motor-vehicle crashes, making up 30% of all fatalities. Another 130 were killed by being struck by a vehicle, making up 9% of the total.

The NY Post reports on the second law-enforcement officer this month killed in an auto accident while off-duty.

NYPD officer Vincent Persaud, who was assigned to the 101st Precinct, was killed in a car crash while on his way to work Wednesday morning.

The two-car crash took place at the corner of Peninsula Boulevard and Hempstead Avenue in Lynbrook at about 6:40 a.m.

Persaud, who was 31, was on his way to work in Queens at the time of the crash. He was taken to Long Island Jewish Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

The cause of the crash is unknown, but sources revealed to the post that Persaud’s BMW collided with a Toyota Sienna minivan and ran off the road. The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Lynbrook Police Department.

Persaud is the second NYPD officer to die in a motor vehicle crash in April. NYPD Highway Patrol Officer Marc. St. Arromand was killed after losing control of the motorcycle he was driving to work.

Several Emergency Responders Came To The Scene Of A Multi-Vehicle Accident Amid The Corvid-19 Pandemic

The news has been full of COVID-19 related stories lately, many of them concentrating on how medical resources have been overwhelmed as hospitals, firefighters, paramedics, and EMS crews are all feeling increasing pressure. In New York, as many as 150 firefighters and EMS workers have been quarantined, contributing to stressors from being understaffed, overworked, and under-protected. The Fire Department changed its guidelines for quarantining staff members, requiring exposed workers to still come in for duty, so long as they are asymptomatic. However, as the pandemic continues, many are beginning to wonder if the overwhelmed emergency responders will have to be selective, choosing which emergency calls to respond to.

NYC Streetsblog reports that speed demons have sent two people to already overwhelmed hospitals.

The NYPD stated that the driver of an SUV was speeding down Ocean Parkway at around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The SUV slammed into another car that had been heading east on Avenue U. The impact of the collision caused the Honda to flip multiple times, causing it to collide with two additional vehicles. One of those vehicles ended up striking a fifth vehicle.

Two people suffered from minor injuries and were taken to separate hospitals. At least a half-dozen emergency responders came to the scene of the accident. These same emergency responders are already pressured to keep up with the growing number of COVID-19 patients.

In an eight-day period in March, New York City’s speed violation cameras spit out 83,478 violations. This is only 8% lower than an eight-day period in January when there were tens to hundreds of thousands more vehicles on the roadways.

Mayor de Blasio urged New York drivers to slow down after hearing of the news, stating that the city’s hospitals were unable to handle more patients.

Police are still investigating the crash. No citations have been issued.

Snowplow Crash Shuts Down Lane Of New York State Thruway

New York City is one of those locations that is either lucky enough or unlucky enough to receive a good amount of snowfall each year. Snow can begin as early as November and last through April. In order to keep the city moving, it employs snowplows that clear the roadways of snow and ice to keep traffic flowing. It may be a surprise to know that while on New York roadways, snowplows can violate almost any traffic law save for DUI while they are plowing on public roads. Because of this immunity from traffic laws, this can mean that snowplows are not at fault when an accident occurs, they are immune from liability. The only exception is if the driver of the snowplow was deemed to be driving recklessly.

Syracuse.com reports that a crash between a snowplow and a truck shut down a lane of the New York State Thruway.

The incident occurred on January 6th, at about 11:03 p.m. A passing motorist contacted 911 to report that a snowplow and a semi-trailer had collided on Interstate 90 East near exit 34A. The caller reported that the tractor-trailer was smoking.

There was a fuel spill that occurred in the accident. East Syracuse firefighters and EAVES ambulance responded to the call.

Both the driver of the semi-truck and the snowplow were taken by ambulance to area hospitals. They both had traumatic injuries.

The incident shut down a lane of the Thruway for hours as crews worked to complete rescue and recovery work.

The scene has since been turned over to the state police, the DEC, and the Thruway Authority.

Speed Is Of The Essence In An Emergency

Seat belts, airbags, lane departure warnings, emergency braking, and other safety features are all designed to keep people as safe as possible during a crash. While these safety features have undoubtedly lowered the incidence of fatal accidents and injuries, it turns out there’s an even more important factor in whether or not a crash will be fatal. That factor is how quickly it takes emergency crews, such as EMTs and paramedics to arrive to render aid. US News reports on the story.

A new study reveals the time it takes for emergency medical help to arrive at the scene of an accident plays a critical role in survival.

Researchers who reviewed collisions in the United States between 2013 and 2015 said 14% of fatalities in urban areas can be blamed on slower-than-normal response times. In rural areas, that number is 10%.

The study was published on February 6th in the journal JAMA Surgery.

The researchers came to the conclusion that in rural areas, a “poor response time” was 10 minutes or more. In urban areas, that time was 7 minutes or longer.

It is suspected that traffic likely plays a role in response time in cities and suburbs. Longer distances can affect outcomes in rural areas. Rural areas often utilize voluntary response teams, which can take time to get together.

One criticism of the study is that it did not take into consideration the differences in EMS systems, which can vary widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Another factor on outcome was whether or not there was a trauma center nearby. Better outcomes were often seen when the patients had access to a level 1 trauma center.

Speed Was A Factor In An Accident Queens Parkway That Resulted In A Woman’s Death

While it may be fun and present a sense of danger, speeding is one of the main contributing factors in accidents. According to the NHTSA, in 2017, speeding was a contributing factor in 27% of all fatal accidents. While many may consider speeding to be just breaking a minor traffic law, the consequences can be deadly. 

Speeding can present a much higher risk of the driver losing control of the vehicle. It also reduces the effectiveness of seatbelts and airbags in a collision. It is also a primary factor in the severity of accidents; the faster a vehicle is traveling, the greater the damage when an accident occurs. This damage not only occurs to the vehicle, but to the driver and passengers within. 

The New York Daily News reports that an aspiring doctor has been killed in a Queens Parkway crash. 

The accident happened along Queens Parkway at about 1:20 p.m. on Sunday. 

According to police, 22-year-old Michelle Garcia was a passenger in a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The driver of the vehicle was speeding when the vehicle spun out of control on the Grand Central Parkway. 

The vehicle first hit a guardrail, then slammed into an SUV from behind. Garcia suffered from head and chest injuries in the crash. She was rushed to a local hospital where she died. 

The driver of the Subaru, identified as 21-year-old Michael Galindo, suffered from minor injuries. 

No one has been charged in the crash.

Statistics Show That Drivers Of Cars Are Often At A Fault In Pedestrians And Cyclist Accidents

Despite Mayor de Blasio’s promise to eliminate traffic fatalities, they are on the rise despite previous numbers indicating policies were having an effect. While many people have a belief that those affected most by the traffic fatalities – cyclists and pedestrians – are flouting traffic laws and darting out into the streets in front of cars, the truth may be the opposite. According to data obtained by the New York Times, cyclists and pedestrians were cited by police in accidents less than 5% of the time. Last year, at least 221 people died in traffic crashes and the New York Times reports that drivers are often to blame.

When a person is killed in a traffic collision, police file a report based on preliminary investigation. A contributing factor is often assigned to the crash at this point. Some of the contributing factors in 2019 collisions involving pedestrians included driver inattention or distraction, failure to yield, and disregarding traffic signs.

Pedestrian or cyclist error accounted for 8 of the 97 cases that a motor vehicle was involved.

New legislation has been signed into law that targets reckless drivers. The new law will allow the city to seize the vehicle if a driver collects too many speeding or running red-light tickets.

Of the 28 cyclist deaths last year, only four drivers were arrested. In many cases, as long as the driver is not intoxicated and stays at the scene, they rarely face any serious consequences.

Suspected Drunk Teen Hits Pedestrian In Bohemia

New York is like many states in that they have what is known as a dram shop law. The New York State Dram Shop Act could make a server or establishment liable in some drunken-driving accidents. While this law doesn’t typically apply to social hosts, it can apply to bars and restaurants. The law covers a server or establishment knowingly serving an underage person or continuing to serve a person whom they know is obviously intoxicated. Simply put, the law says that the server or establishment may be both criminally and civilly liable if that person were to become involved in an accident that caused serious injury or death to another person.

CBS Local New York reports that a pedestrian was injured in New York after being hit by a teenaged driver suspected of DWI.

17-year-old Christina Burns of Selden was in court on Monday facing two DWI charges.

The charges stem from a Sunday morning incident where Burns allegedly drove while intoxicated. According to police, Burns attended her cousin’s graduation party in Bohemia. While there, she consumed five spiked sparkling seltzers before spending the night.

At about 6:50 a.m., Burns left in her car to drive to her cashier’s job. She was still allegedly drunk and crashed into mailboxes on Ashford Drive. She then crashed into 80-year-old Che Yeung, a neighbor who was out for a morning stroll.

Yeung, who suffered from two broken legs and a head injury, is in critical condition at the hospital.

Police have also charged Burns’ 50-year-old uncle, Francis Rogalle with violating the Suffolk County Social Host Law for serving alcohol to minors. The law imposes liability on the host for injuries or damages caused by an intoxicated youth.

The fine for a first-time violation of the social host law is $500.

Technology May Help Curb Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving has become such a danger in the United States that there is a week dedicated to its prevention. November 1-8, 2020 is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. According to the National Sleep Foundation, half of all U.S. adult drivers admit to driving while drowsy. About 20% admit that they have fallen asleep behind the wheel at some point in the last year. 40% admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel at least once in their driving careers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 100,000 police-reported crashes annually are caused by drowsy driving.

The New York Times reports that wearable technology may be able to tell drowsy drivers that it’s time to pull over.

Fatigue is something that comes with the job of driving an 18-wheeler. Rules regulate how long a driver can remain behind the wheel at a time by enforcing rest stops. Technology has become available to alert drowsy drivers, sometimes even before they realize that they are tired.

New wearable technology, however, may make it easier for drivers to be notified when they’re tired. It is also more subtle. The technology can come in the form of a vest, cap, wristband, or even glasses.

One device, called the SmartCap, is a headband that fits into the caps that truckers wear. It measures electronic brain waves and translates them to measures of alertness or fatigue. It then sends its findings to both the driver and a central monitoring system.

However, the trucking industry is often slow to implement change. The industry has been focused on a new law that requires the installation of electronic logging devices. These devices will help to ensure that drivers do not drive longer than legally allowed and that they take the required breaks.

Teen Cyclist Dies In Staten Island Crash, 16th Cyclist Death This Year

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative seemed to be working, with deaths of pedestrians falling in 2018. Unfortunately, for bicyclists, New York City is still a dangerous place to be cycling. In 2018, there were a total of 10 cyclists killed throughout the year. So far in 2019, there have been 15 killed. Three of those deaths came in a one-week period. Each day, thousands of cyclists take to New York’s roads as couriers, messengers, and delivery drivers. Thousands more use bicycles to commute to and from work. Most recently, 1,000 cyclists gathered to bring attention to the epidemic.

The New York Post reports that a 17-year-old has died in a Staten Island crash, bringing cyclist fatalities this year to 16.

A 17-year-old male was riding his green GT mountain bike alongside his brother. They were heading eastward on Castleton Avenue in West Brighton. It was about noon Tuesday when he ran a red light at Clove Road.

The teenager slammed on his brakes and fell from his bike. He was then hit by a tow truck being driven by an unnamed 38-year-old. The truck is operated by L&S Towing.

The boy was rushed to Richmond University Medical Center with serious injuries. According to authorities, he could not be saved.

The driver of the tow truck remained on scene and cooperated with authorities. The victim’s brother was able to stop on time and was not hurt.

No arrests in the accident have been made and police are still investigating.

Teen Riding E-Scooter Killed In Hit-And-Run In Queens

The New York Daily News reports that a teenager was killed in a hit-and-run while riding an e-scooter in Queens. 

18-year-old Eternity Stephens was riding a TAILG electric scooter owned by her father on October 12th with her girlfriend, a 23-year-old female on the back. As she traveled south on Rockaway Blvd., a 2013 Infiniti G37 rear ended the couple. 

The driver fled the scene. 

Stevens died at Jamaica Hospital of the head injuries she sustained three days after the accident. Her girlfriend suffered from hip and head injuries. 

Police arrested 55-year-old Charles Fleming shortly after the crash in nearby Long Island for driving while intoxicated. He was eventually charged with leaving the scene of an accident, vehicular assault, and DWI for the crash in Queens. Those charges may be upgraded now that Stephens has died. 

Fleming was released on $150,000 bail. 

Vehicular manslaughter charges are often reserved in New York for someone who has driven while intoxicated and killed someone as a result. There are three possibilities for the degree of vehicular manslaughter charges: first-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree vehicular manslaughter, and aggravated vehicular manslaughter. 

The penalties vary for each offense, with second-degree vehicular manslaughter being the least serious offense and aggravated vehicular manslaughter being the most serious. The penalties for vehicular manslaughter range from seven to twenty-five years in prison. Each of the charges are felonies, which means that they go on a person’s permanent record.

Teens Killed When Porsche Knocked Off Of Overpass Onto Train Tracks

Getting a driver’s license is a right of passage that many teenagers look forward to and many parents dread. Parents are quite right to have concerns; 3,255 young drivers aged 15 to 19 were involved in fatal crashes in 2017. Due to lack of experience and an increased incidence of risk taking, teens are more likely than adults to be in a fatal crash. Because of this, all 50 states now have three-step graduated driver’s licenses. This can reduce the risk of a crash by up to 50%. Seat belt use is also lowest among teen drivers, which accounts for many of the injuries and fatalities. 

Fox News reports that New York teenagers were killed when a Porsche fell off an overpass and crashed onto the train tracks below. 

17-year-old Aisha Radoncic was driving a 2017 Porsche Macan in Pearl Town, a town in Rockland County. It is about 30 miles north of New York City. 

She hit a 2013 Volkswagen Jetta. The impact caused the car to careen off of the overpass. It crashed onto the NJ Transit train tracks below. 

15-year-old Saniha Cekic and 17-year-old Altin Nezaj were passengers inside the Porsche. They were transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead. Radoncic suffered from serious injuries and was hospitalized. 

The people in the Jetta were not injured. 

A witness described hearing a boom and then saw the fire at the scene of the accident. She heard a woman screaming for help, but was unable to pull her from the vehicle. 

The Hefty Prices Of Allowing Car Insurance To Lapse In New York

New York is like many states in that it requires all drivers to carry certain amounts of car insurance. Since New York is a no-fault state, one of those requirements is carrying personal injury protection. However, New York also requires a minimum amount of liability insurance. This includes bodily injury liability insurance coverage, property damage liability insurance, and underinsured and uninsured motorist liability. While it may be tempting to drive without insurance, don’t. Not only will there be the possibility of traffic fines and fees, but there are also the hidden costs associated with allowing insurance coverage to lapse as Motor 1 reports.

A lapse in insurance coverage will trigger a civil penalty. Being caught driving without proper insurance can lead to a citation, arrest, and vehicle impoundment. Your license and registration can also be suspended. Getting into an accident without insurance will lead to the revocation of your license, and you could be liable for damages.

The insurance company will notify the Department of Motor Vehicles that insurance has lapsed. If you’ve obtained other insurance, your new company should notify the DMV on the same day.

If that doesn’t happen, the DMV will send the driver a suspension order. This means that the car’s vehicle registration is suspended, making it illegal to drive the car. You may have to pay a civil penalty for each day that your vehicle does not have insurance. This can get costly, at $8 per day for the first 30 days. After 30 days, the rates rise.

If caught in an accident without insurance, the citation could cost up to $1,500 or up to 15 days in jail. There is also a $750 fee for reinstating the driver’s license, plus the aforementioned fees.

The Passenger In An Off-Road DWI Crash Lost Their Life

New York has several laws covering the crime of driving while intoxicated, often simply called DWI. One of the more serious charges a driver can face is when they are driving while intoxicated and are involved in an accident. New York allows for people who are driving drunk or while on drugs to face charges like an assault with a motor vehicle and vehicular manslaughter when people are injured or killed in an accident. These laws include both victims in the driver’s own vehicle as well as other vehicles. The penalties for vehicular manslaughter can be severe; a person can face up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

WHAM 13 reports that a driver has been charged with vehicular manslaughter after a passenger was killed in a suspected DWI crash in Wyoming County.

Troopers were called to the scene of the crash late Tuesday morning. The crash occurred on Pleasant Valley Road in Wethersfield.

20-year-old Michael Conrad was speeding in an unregistered vehicle north on Pleasant Valley Road when he lost control of the car. The car then went off-road and crashed into multiple trees.

20-year-old passenger Cori Shearing was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident. Conrad was taken to a local hospital for treatment of injuries and was tested for drug impairment.

After his release from the hospital, Conrad was arrested. He is facing charges of second-degree vehicular manslaughter, second-degree assault, DWI, and several traffic citations.

Three Cars Wrecked After Drivers Race In The Streets Of Park Slope

While California is probably the best-known location for street racing, thanks to film franchises like The Fast and The Furious, it is a nationwide concern. In New York, boroughs like Queens and the Bronx are a haven for those who like to test out their modified cars in illegal street races. Another spot in Long Island along Review Avenue has been a hot spot for street racing for the past 30 years. Speed bumps have since been deployed on the stretch of roadway that was popular for racers, but they have ways to get around them. Sadly, when accidents happen, it is often not the drivers of the racing cars that are hurt or killed.

The New York Post reports that video captured the moments before racing vehicles crashed in Park Slope.

The accident happened on Thursday night at around 11:40 P.M. between 5th and 6th Streets in Park Slope.

The two vehicles caught on video were a black sedan and what looked like a white Mustang. They were speeding down the roadway in an area where the speed limit is 25 m.p.h.

The woman who captured the video did not wish to be named, but she said, “People like to race around here.”

The two vehicles crashed moments after the video was captured and then slammed into three parked cars a few blocks away.

One of the victims came out of a bar and began yelling at the other drivers about his wrecked car. Police arrived shortly after to clear the streets.

Five people were taken to Methodist Hospital for treatment of injuries.

Three People Were Injured In A Multi-Vehicle DWI Crash

New York law provides for serious consequences to those that choose to drive while intoxicated. Being intoxicated no longer just means being under the influence of alcohol. Being under the influence can extend to being intoxicated by legal, illegal, prescription, and over the counter drugs or medications. If a driver is in an accident that injures other people while intoxicated, they can face even more serious charges such as vehicular assault. Vehicular assault in the second degree in New York is a Class-E felony and carried a penalty of a maximum sentence of four years in prison. If the charge is a vehicular assault in the first degree, it is a Class-D felony and the penalties are even more severe.

The Legal Herald reports that three people have been injured in a suspected DUI crash in Syracuse.

The accident occurred at around 3:39 p.m. on May 4th and Syracuse police believe that an intoxicated driver may be to blame for a chain-reaction crash that injured several people.

34-year-old Brady O’Malley was driving a black BMW east on First North Street around the intersection with Kirkpatrick Street. He struck a Jeep that was parked.

He did not stop after the initial collision and continued driving until he crashed into a block Chevy at the intersection.

O’Malley, a passenger in the Jeep, and an occupant of the Chevy all suffered from injuries. Their conditions were not released.

O’Malley was charged with DWI and received several other citations related to the crash.

Three U.S. Representatives Questioned The NHTS Administration’s Refusal To Adopt New Safety Recommendations

On October 6, 2018, one of the deadliest transportation accidents in recent history occurred in Schoharie, New York. A limo carrying 17 passengers crashed on a rural road, killing all of the passengers as well as the driver and two pedestrians. The owner of the limo company is facing criminal charges in the incident. The vehicle had reportedly been taken off the road by New York inspections but was still in service at the time of the crash. Although the primary cause of the crash has been cited as catastrophic brake failure, the incident called into question whether limousines should have seat belts for passengers. While New York enacted state laws requiring seat belts for limousines, some are calling for national regulation as the Daily Gazette reports.

On Tuesday, three bipartisan members of Congress from the Capitol Region questioned the failure of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to adopt new seat belt guidelines in the wake of the deadly Schoharie crash.

U.S. Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-Amsterdam), Antonia Delgado (D-Rhinebeck), and Elise Stefanik (R-Schuylerville) all signed the letter to acting Administrator James C. Owens.

The letter places Delgado and Stefanik on the record as questioning the refusal of the NHTSA’s refusal to adopt to safety recommendations put forth by the National Transportation Safety Board.

In a preliminary conclusion, the NHTSA stated that there was insufficient evidence for the NTSB recommendations of seat belt and seat strength changes. Owens stated that there were seat belts available for the passengers, but those belts were not being used at the time of the crash. He also stated that although the seats came away from the floor in the Schoharie crash, most of the passenger space did not suffer from catastrophic damage.

New legislation has been enacted in New York that will go into effect next January requiring limousine passengers to wear seat belts. Federal regulation change likely would not have a direct impact in New York for this reason.

Three Women And Two Children Are Injured As A Driver Erratically Evades Police

New York law requires people who are involved in an accident to stop and exchange information. Even if the accident involved only a sign or other property, the driver is responsible for providing information for insurance purposes. If the driver flees the scene, they could face, at minimum, misdemeanor charges for accidents involving just property damage. 

A misdemeanor charge carries a possible penalty of up to 15 days in jail. A crash involving minor injuries can also be charged as a misdemeanor with up to 90 days in jail. If the injuries are serious or a person is killed, they may be charged with a felony. This charge carries a penalty of 4 years in state prison. 

The Freeport, New York Patch reports that a woman has injured six people while fleeing from police. 

The incident occurred on Saturday night at about 9:05 p.m. after the suspect had an encounter with police outside the Freeport Police Department. She then drove off, committing several traffic violations. 

According to police, 24-year-old Gabrielle Revere drove erratically, hitting a police car in the process. The accident injured a police officer. Revere then began driving into oncoming traffic. 

Revere drove into a parked taxi, prompting officers to chase Revere east on Sunshine Highway. She drove over the center median and at the intersection of Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue, she drove into two cars. The two cars were stopped in traffic. 

Three women and two female children were injured in the accident. 

Revere was placed under arrest and was taken to the hospital. She is facing a number of charges including leaving the scene of an accident and fleeing from police.

Three Women Killed In Crash, One Due To Be Married

In 2016, there were 34,439 police-reported car accidents which resulted in a fatality. This represents a 5.8% increase from 2015. These crashes led to a total of 37,461 fatalities, including both occupants and non-occupants. A staggering 58% of these fatal car accidents were single-vehicle crashes. 40% of all fatal car accidents began with the vehicle striking a stationary object, such as a street or road sign or a tree or a non-collision incident, such as a rollover. Rollovers accounted for 17.9 percent of all fatal crashes in 2016.

The New York Post reports on a deadly Long Island crash that killed three women, including one who was engaged to be married.

The crash occurred last Monday night in Mount Sinai just after 11 p.m.

23-year-old Dorea Lashea Brown, 24-year-old Rebecca Minunno died at the scene of the accident. Another woman was also killed, but her name has not been released.

The women were riding in a 2010 black Jeep Liberty. The vehicle veered off of the roadway and crashed into a utility pole, causing the vehicle to burst into flames.

A retired FDNY man witnessed the crash and tried to save the women according to the Suffolk police department.

Minunno’s father, Robert Minunno, said that his daughter owned the vehicle that was involved in the crash, but she was not driving at the time of the accident. Minunno’s Facebook page indicated that she was engaged to Chad Dugan.

The crash and its circumstances remain under investigation.

Toddler Critically Injured In Horrific Crash

New York has laws that state that a driver who has been involved in an accident must stop and share information with other drivers who were involved. If a driver fails to do so, they can face criminal charges, and the severity of those charges depend on whether there were any injuries involved. In accidents that just involve property damage, the driver may be charged with a misdemeanor criminal charge. However, if there are serious injuries, the driver may be charged with a felony if they leave the scene before the authorities arrive.

NBC New York reports on an accident that injured four people, including a toddler in Long Island.

The crash, which occurred Wednesday morning, was described by witnesses as “horrific.”

According to police, a Nissan ran a stop sign near Neighborhood Road in Mastic Beach at about 11 a.m. The Nissan then hit a Toyota before striking an unoccupied Jeep. One of the vehicles overturned and left three people inside the Toyota injured. Their injuries were all said to be serious, but not life-threatening.  A toddler was in the back seat of the Nissan. He was critically injured and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.  Neighborhood residents say that people often speed through the streets and need to slow down.

The driver who fled has not been identified, but police are asking anyone with information to call the tipline.

Tractor-Trailer Driver Unknowingly Kills Pedestrian

In New York for 2018, the number of pedestrian deaths were down from previous years. This led Mayor Bill de Blasio to claim that his Vision Zero initiative to decrease traffic deaths was successful.

But in 2019, both pedestrian and bicyclist deaths soared. By mid-2019, there were already 10 cyclist deaths, matching the number for all of 2018. There were also 46 pedestrian deaths, which was eight more than the same period in 2018.

To counter the rising number of cyclist deaths, a few changes were made, such as allowing cyclists to go before traffic at stoplights. More bicycle lanes were added, and police began enforcing laws designed to protect both pedestrians and cyclists.

Syracuse.com reports that a tractor-trailer driver claims he was unaware that he had hit a pedestrian. The incident happened at about 6 P.M. on Sunday as 30-year-old Richard Wydick walked east on Seventh North Street. He was near the Pilot truck stop when he stepped into the roadway.

The light at the intersection with Terminal Road East was just turning green. A tractor-trailer was turning off Terminal Road East onto Seventh North Street. It struck Wydick and continued driving. Paramedics pronounced Wydick dead at the scene.

Police were able to identify the truck through surveillance cameras as an Active Canada, Inc. truck. Active Canada contacted the truck driver, who stopped and waited for detectives at a duty-free shop near the Canadian border.

The driver of the truck, whose name was not released, cooperated with police. He stated that he did not see Wydick and did not realize that he had hit him. Wydick was wearing dark clothing at the time of the accident.

The tractor-trailer was inspected, and no violations were found. The accident is still under investigation.

Tracy Morgan Wrecks Bugatti Supercar

New York is one of the many states that require that a person registering a vehicle in the state obtain car insurance. New York not only requires certain state minimum coverage, but it also requires that a driver have at least $50,000 in personal injury protection because it is a no-fault state. This means that should a person be injured in an accident; they file a claim with their insurance under personal injury protection first. Car insurance not only covers injuries, but in the case of full coverage or comprehensive coverage, it covers damages to the vehicle as well.

CBS Local New York reports on an accident involving comedian Tracy Morgan, who wrecked his $2 million Bugatti hours after purchasing it. Comedian Tracy Morgan, who made headlines for a traumatic crash involving a Walmart semi-trailer, was involved in another accident on Tuesday. The accident occurred in Midtown.

The other driver, Jocelyn Madulid, says that Morgan became enraged after the accident. She described an ordeal that terrified her. Madulid was driving a Honda CRV, making a right turn onto 10th Avenue from 42nd Street Tuesday morning when someone hit her car. She said she was by the light when the collision occurred.

Madulid says that after the accident, Morgan got out of his car and began banging on her vehicle with his fists, cursing at her. She said he continued with the behavior until the police arrived. She said that the actor screamed at her. “You are on your phone. You are going to jail,” Morgan reportedly threatened the woman.

Madulid said that once she learned who Morgan was, she felt pity for him. Morgan’s 2014 accident with a Walmart truck made national headlines. She said that she understood why the actor was so upset.

Morgan was driving a $2 million Bugatti that he had just purchased two hours prior.

Neither driver was given a ticket in the accident.

There was no word on how much it would cost to repair Morgan’s Bugatti.

Tree Crash Ends With Passenger Death

When thinking of a fatal motor vehicle accident, one might think that most fatal accidents are caused by head-on or T-bone crashes. Unfortunately, the majority of fatal vehicle crashes often only involve one vehicle. More than 8,000 people die in single-vehicle rollover crashes each year. Run-off-road single-vehicle crashes account for more than 70% of all fatal single-vehicle crashes according to the NHTSA. The biggest factors in these crashes are speed, drunken driving, and drowsy driving. Age seems to be a factor, as well. Younger drivers aged 15 to 24 and older drivers aged 65-plus have higher percentages of run-off-road crashes than other age groups.

The Ithaca Voice reports on a passenger being killed after the vehicle they were riding in ran off-road, striking a tree. The crash occurred at about 3:39 a.m. on Wednesday, on Livermore Road in Dryden. A Kia Soul was traveling north on Livermore Road when it traveled off the east shoulder and struck a tree. Both the driver and the passenger were taken to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse.

The driver appeared to have suffered only minor injuries. The passenger, identified as 26-year-old Glennys Alandra Cordero, of Bronx, was pronounced dead at the hospital.

As of 7:30 a.m., the section of Livermore Road where the accident occurred was still closed for the accident investigation. The county sheriff’s office, the New York State Accident Reconstruction Team, Tompkins Cortland Community College Public Safety, the Dryden Fire Department, Dryden Ambulance, and the Town of Dryden Highway Department all assisted at the scene.

Trial Set On Crash That May Have Been Caused By Seizure Disorder

The Berkshire Eagle reports on a New York man facing charges of manslaughter by vehicle for a crash that killed a Housatonic woman in Massachusetts. 69-year-old Robert Bacigalupi will be tried on July 24th on charges of motor vehicle homicide and a marked-lanes violation. His trial will take place at the Central Berkshire District Court.

On April 14, 2018, Bacigalupi was heading eastbound on Maple Avenue (Route 23) from his Hillsdale, New York home. He crossed the center line and struck a vehicle being driven by 64-year-old Annemarie Bushka. Bushka died from her injuries at the scene. The force of the impact caused Bacigalupi’s vehicle to flip. He attributes the accident to the fact that he may have had a mini stroke and passed out. The stroke may have been caused by a seizure disorder he was not aware he had.

Medical records indicate that Bacigalupi was diagnosed in 2010 with “episodic memory loss” as well as the seizure disorder. The laws governing someone who has been diagnosed with epilepsy being able to drive vary from state to state. In recent years, some states have become more liberal, basing their laws on studies that have focused on actual risk. While studies indicate that the number of accidents involving those with epilepsy is higher than the general public, it is not as high as the accident rate for those that drive while intoxicated. New York state requires that the person diagnosed with epilepsy have a 12-month period where they have not had a seizure. A physician must submit a statement to the DMV regarding this period.

Trooper Suspended For Crashing Into Minivan

Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics who are driving vehicles responding to an emergency can lawfully violate traffic statutes. Despite this legal authority to violate traffic laws, drivers may be held liable if they are in an accident while responding to a call. However, when compared to another driver, a higher standard applies when attempting to prove negligence.

In order to prove liability, the injured person must prove that the officer acted with reckless disregard for the safety of others. It is important to remember that this standard only applies when the officer is actively responding to an emergency. In other cases, the officer may be held to the normal standard of ordinary negligence.

New York Upstate reports that a New York State trooper has been arrested and charged for an accident on the Thruway that injured five people.

33-year-old New York State Trooper Stephen C. Baker was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment and reckless driving. The charges follow a crash that took place on July 15, 2019.

On that day, Baker was responding to a property damage accident on the Thruway in the town of Sheridan. Just after 1 p.m., he rear-ended a Dodge Caravan with five people in it. Four of those passengers were in their 70s.

Two of the passengers had to be airlifted to the scene with serious injuries. The other three people suffered from non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Collision Reconstruction, Chautauqua District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Police Professional Standards Bureau all investigated.

Baker is currently suspended without pay. Both of the charges are misdemeanors.

Truck Plows Into Group Of Motorcyclists, License Suspended

The state of New York can suspend a person’s license for multiple reasons. Multiple moving violations is one of these reasons. Drivers who accumulate 11 or more points within an 18-month period can have their license suspended. Drivers convicted of three speeding violations or two construction zone violations may also have their license suspended.

Driving without insurance will also result in a license suspension. Reckless driving that results in injury can also result in a suspended license. Drivers who are convicted of a speeding violation while taking part in a speed contest may also have their license suspended.

The New York Times reports that the driver involved in an accident that killed 7 people should have had their license suspended.

About a month prior to a New Hampshire crash that killed 7 motorcyclists on a rural highway, the driver of the truck that plowed into the group had been charged with DUI.

23-year-old Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, who had been arrested in May, refused to be tested for alcohol. This should have disqualified him from driving for a year. However, his license was never suspended due to several lapses at the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.

The lapses allowed not only Zhukovskyy, but hundreds of other motorists whose licenses should have been suspended, to slip through the cracks. After the lapses were discovered, the state suspended more than 500 licenses in just a few days.

In Zhukovskyy’s case, the system was unable to process the DUI, which occurred in Connecticut, so it was supposed to have been manually processed. However, no one was assigned to check these cases, so they fell by the wayside.

Zhukovskyy has been charged with seven counts of negligent homicide in the case and has pleaded not guilty.

Two Dead, 54 Injured In Charter Bus Crash

Chartered buses, which include buses that have inter- and intra-state routes out of New York are routinely inspected for safety. These safety inspections usually happen every six months or so, and typically identify any safety issues that may put the lives of passengers and other motorists at risk. If defects are found, the owners of the buses are required to take them out of service and are given an amount of time to fix the issues that are discovered. The drivers are required to maintain a commercial driver’s license as well. All these precautions may not be able to prevent all tragedies. NBC News reports on the driver of a charter bus who is facing charges following an accident in Virginia.

Two people are dead and the remaining fifty-four passengers on a charter bus were hospitalized following an accident in Prince George County, Virginia.

The crash happened at about 5:22 a.m. on Tuesday morning according to the Prince George County police.

Heavy fog may be a factor in the accident, but charges are pending against the bus driver, a 40-year-old male from Staten Island, New York.

One of the passengers died at the scene and another died at the hospital. At least two of the 57 passengers were being treated for life-threatening injuries. Other victims were as young as toddlers.

The bus, which is owned by Tao Travel, Inc., began its trip in Orlando, Florida and was bound for New York City. It had stopped in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, which is about 100 miles south of the crash site.

The company applied for its permit in Flushing, New York, but is operated out of Middleton, Massachusetts. The company employs eight drivers and has had no accidents since it began operation in 2013.

Two Mansfield Residents Lose Their Lives In A Car Accident On Clemons Center Parkway

According to a study conducted by the NHTSA, driver error accounts for around 94% of all car accidents. No matter how safe one driver may be, other drivers are not as conscientious. Consider the causes of most fatal car accidents according to the study.

One major cause of accidents is distracted driving. Each day, distracted driving causes the injuries of 1,000 people in car accidents. Nine people are killed by distracted drivers. Failure to yield was another top cause of accidents. Many accidents that occur at intersections are attributed to failure to yield the right of way. Commonly, these are caused by making a left turn into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

The Free Press Courier reports that two residents of Mansfield have been killed in a fatal New York accident.

The incident occurred on Friday, June 5th on Clemons Center Parkway.

According to police, a 2007 Saturn SUV was traveling north on the roadway when it failed to yield right of way. It collided with a 2010 Chevrolet sedan that was attempting to turn left onto Division Street.

76-year-old Laura M. Terry was driving the Chevrolet sedan and had passenger, 75-year-old Sara L. Prince, in the vehicle with her. Terry was transported to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Prince was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver was the sole occupant of the Saturn SUV and suffered from minor injuries.

The accident remains under investigation. Police are asking any witnesses to come forward.

Two People Were Killed In A Traffic Accident, The Driver Was Under The Influence

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According to the New York Criminal Code, a driver may face three possible charges if they are intoxicated by alcohol or drugs and kill another person. These charges are first-degree vehicular manslaughter and second-degree vehicular manslaughter. The driver may also face charges of aggravated vehicular homicide.

All three of these charges are felonies and the least serious of the charges is second-degree vehicular manslaughter. The possible penalties for second-degree vehicular manslaughter are significant fines and a seven-year prison sentence along with suspension or revocation of driver’s license after release.

The Hudson County View reports that a man has pleaded guilty in charges related to a fatal West New York crash that claimed the life of a 20-year-old.

On June 29th, 25-year-old Fernando Batista pleaded guilty in a virtual hearing to second-degree death by auto. The state is recommending a prison sentence of five years in New Jersey state prison.

The crash occurred on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at about 12:30 p.m. West New York police officers responded to the scene of a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of 60th Street and Jefferson Street.

Batista was traveling west on 60th Street when he failed to obey a traffic signal, colliding with an Infinity that was traveling north on Jefferson Street.

20-year-old Alyssa Matos was a passenger in Batista’s vehicle. She was transported to Jersey City Medical Center. Matos succumbed to her injuries on June 23rd.

Another passenger in Matos’ vehicle was also injured. The driver of the second vehicle also sustained injuries and was transported to Palisades Medical Center.

It was determined by the New Jersey State Police forensic lab that at the time of the crash, Matos had marijuana in his system.

Matos is scheduled to be sentenced on August 28th.

Two Were Killed In An Accident On The Way To A Basketball Game

Wrong-way collisions are often the violent, tragic accidents that make headlines. While they may seem to be a common occurrence, they actually make up a very small percentage of overall collisions. Despite this, wrong-way collisions often result in serious, traumatic injuries and fatalities. One of the primary reasons for this is that wrong-way collisions tend to take place on interstates and highways at high speeds. Some of the most common causes of wrong-way collisions are distracted driving, drowsy driving, and driving under the influence. Wrong-way collisions tend to happen more often in rural areas than in urban, and they tend to happen more often at night in dark conditions than during the day.

The Riverstown, New York Patch reports that a Westchester man is accused of causing the deaths of two people in a wrong-way crash.

50-year-old Jaime Paucar has been charged with aggravated vehicular manslaughter and aggravated driving while intoxicated in connection with a January crash. Paucar was arraigned on the charges in late March in the New Rochelle City Court.

On January 30th, Paucar was driving his Jeep west in an eastbound lane of I-287 in Harrison. He crashed head-on into a BMW which was occupied by four people.

57-year-old Jordan Wachtell, the driver of the BMW, and 17-year-old passenger Eric Goldberg were both killed. Goldberg was sitting in the back passenger seat on the driver’s side.

At the time of the crash, Wachtell was taking his son and the two other passengers to a basketball game.

The surviving passengers in the BMW and Paucar were all taken to the hospital for the treatment of injuries.

Undocumented Immigrant Involved In Fatal Crash, DUI Alleged

According to the New York Department of Motor Vehicles, 33% of all fatalities are due to drunk drivers. New York has enacted several laws to punish the people who need more than a casual reminder that drunk driving can end with fatal consequences. A first offense DUI is punishable by a $500-$1000 fine and up to one year in jail. If the intoxicated driver causes an accident that results in injuries, the driver may face a charge of second-degree vehicular assault. If more than one person is injured, the charge may be upgraded to first-degree vehicular assault. If the accident causes the death of another person, a charge of aggravated vehicular homicide may be brought against the driver.

CNY Central reports that an undocumented immigrant was allegedly driving drunk when he got into a crash that occurred a Weedsport man.

31-year-old Heriberto R. Perez-Velasquez hit a man driving a compact tractor at about 1:45 p.m. on Sunday.

59-year-old Mark Knapp was ejected from the tractor and died at the scene according to police. Perez-Velasquez ran from the scene, but passersby were able to lead authorities to catch him.

Perez-Velasquez has been charged with second-degree vehicular manslaughter, felony driving while intoxicated, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, and failure to use a designated lane.

Prior to the fatal accident, Perez-Velasquez was arrested for another DWI incident on October 19, 2019. He is facing an aggravated driving while intoxicated charge in that incident.

He is being held at the Cayuga County Jail on a bond of $50,000. He has a court appearance scheduled for November 15th.

Vehicle Evading Police Crashes Into A Family Of 5

Like many police departments, the New York City Police Department has policies governing when police officers can pursue a criminal suspect and when that pursuit must be called off due to posing too much danger to the public. Crashes related to police chases make up a small percentage of overall traffic accidents. However, the people injured in those accidents are typically innocent bystanders and the police officers themselves. Many times, a suspect vehicle will end up crashing into the vehicle of bystanders.

NBC New York reports on a vehicle that crashed into a family of five while trying to evade police.

Police officers attempted to pull over a gray Mercedes-Benz, but the driver took off. Police eventually called off the pursuit, but the driver of the Mercedes continued driving recklessly at high speeds.  The driver then ran a red light and plowed into a Mazda which was carrying two adults and three children. The mother and one of the three children remained hospitalized on Tuesday.

The accident occurred at East 163rd Street and Washington Avenue in Morrisania. Three suspects took off on foot from the Mercedes after the crash. Two of the suspects were caught, but the third remains at large.

It was not clear what charges the suspects in the Mercedes would face.

Vision Zero Expands Into Brooklyn

Last year, New York City’s Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero initiative, a program aimed at reducing pedestrian deaths made a momentous announcement. De Blasio announced that in 2017, not only did the city see a decrease in overall traffic accidents, but that traffic accidents involving pedestrians also fell. In fact, the city saw a whopping 32% drop in pedestrian fatalities. That’s in sharp contrast to the increase in fatalities nationwide between 2013 and 2016 reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The initiative includes lower speed limits, increased enforcement, and safer street designs.

As the Brooklyn Eagle reports, now the Vision Zero initiative is looking to expand into New York’s Brooklyn neighborhood.

Several busy Brooklyn streets will receive additional addition from the Department of Transportation as a part of the Vision Zero program. The mayor came to William McKinley Intermediate School to announce the start of the next phase of the program.

The streets that were named in the announcement as Priority Corridors are:

• Eighth Avenue from 39th Street to 73rd Street
• Surf Avenue from Ocean Parkway to Atlantic Avenue
• Linden Boulevard from Flatbush Avenue to Sapphire Street
• Bedford Avenue from Manhattan Avenue to Flatbush Avenue

The changes that the Department of Transportation will be making will include changing the timing of traffic lights, altering pedestrian signals to allow more time to cross the streets and the installation of other safety measures.

These Priority Corridors were announced when it was discovered that just seven percent of all New York intersections were responsible for 50% of all traffic accidents within the city.

While Ridesharing Decreases DUI Accidents, The Average Number Of Accidents Have Increased

While taxis may be the ubiquitous mode of transportation in New York City, other services like Uber and Lyft are quickly overtaking the familiar yellow cabs. According to data in April of 2016, TLC reported that yellow taxis reported providing 60,000 fewer trips per day in January of the same year. Over the same time frame, Uber reported providing 70,000 more trips. Between 2015 and 2016, Uber grew from 12,000  to 30,000 dispatched vehicles. Lyft accounted for another 10,000 vehicles during this time frame. With the rise of ridesharing, it has been posited that the number of crash injuries for pedestrians and motorists has increased, as SciTechDaily reports.

According to research conducted at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, ride-hailing trips increase the number of crashes for pedestrians and motorists at pickup and drop-off locations.

The data from 372 million ride-hailing trips between 2017 and 2018 in New York City was utilized to identify the locations where crashes occurred. Scientists calculated the number of ridesharing trips that originated at the same time as the crash. They then compared this ride-hailing data to the same statistics for the location one week before and one week after the time of the accident. The results indicated that increases in the number of ride-hailing were linked to an increase in the number of crashes.

One of the authors of the research study, Christopher Morrison, Ph.D., said that it appeared that services like Uber and Lyft reduced the number of alcohol-related crashes, but had no effect on the overall number of crashes.

Woman Indicted For DUI Car Crash That Split Vehicle In Two

In the state of New York, there have been drunk driving laws on the books since 1910. Despite a history of over 100 years, the state is still struggling against DUI-related injuries and fatalities. Despite the fact that alcohol is a factor in 1/3 of all the crashes, it has one of the lowest arrest rates in proportion to its population. According to the New York DMV, in 2013, there were 8,368 reported alcohol-related crashes. Of those, 358 were fatal. 4,248 crashes ended with non-fatal personal injuries. 943 of those injuries were considered to be serious and 1,125 were considered to be moderate injuries. 2,008 injuries were considered to be minor.

NBC New York reports that a woman has been indicted in a deadly Westchester crash that split the victim’s car in two.

Kristen Lynn, of Yonkers, was indicted in an alleged DUI-related crash that occurred on the Saw Mill River Parkway on July 21st.

Lynn was driving a Lexus southbound on the highway in Hastings-on-Hudson shortly after midnight. She allegedly slammed into the rear of 28-year-old Danielle Gore-Johnson’s Honda. The collision forced the Honda off of the roadway, where it spun sideways, hitting a tree. The vehicle then split in half.

Gore-Johnson was killed in the accident.

The indictment alleges that Lynn’s blood-alcohol level was “well above the legal limit.” After hitting the Honda, Lynn’s vehicle started skipping and spinning before it flipped over. It slid for a few hundred feet before coming to a rest on the shoulder. Lynn was ejected from the vehicle and brought to the hospital semi-conscious but alive. She suffered from serious injuries that required surgery.

A grand jury returned an indictment against Lynn on charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter, and vehicular manslaughter. All are felonies. She has also been charged with reckless driving and speeding.

She was released on a $420,000 bond after her arraignment. She is due back in court later this month.

Woman Leaves Hospital After Three Car Collision

While smartphones are probably responsible for a majority of distracted driving accidents, such accidents have been occurring regularly. Before smartphones, people would be distracted by older cell phones, their car radios, tape, or CD players. People also become distracted by passengers and by eating or drinking while driving. Distracted driving is a factor in approximately 25% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes. Teens are the largest group of those who drive while distracted, accounting for 58% of teen crashes. In 2015, there were 391,000 injuries due to distracted driving accidents. That same year, there were 3,477 fatalities attributed to distracted driving. Each day, approximately 9 people lose their lives in crashes caused by distracted driving.

Syracuse.com reports that a woman who was seriously hurt in a 3-car collision was released from the hospital.

21-year-old Amber L. Mitchell was in an accident Tuesday and suffered from internal injuries. She was taken to Upstate University Hospital in serious condition after she hit another vehicle that had been involved in a collision.

According to Florida State Troopers, 22-year-old Darien H. Hill was preoccupied with her phone when she swerved to avoid a truck. She crashed her 2005 Chevrolet Malibu into a guardrail.

Mitchell was behind Hill in the passing lane and struck the woman’s Chevrolet with her Subaru. Her car then swung into the driving lane and hit the back of a tow truck that had been parked on the shoulder of the roadway.

Hill was not injured in the accident. She received citations for operating a motor vehicle while using a mobile telephone, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Two passengers in Mitchell’s vehicle were taken to the hospital to treat minor injuries. A passenger in the tow truck also suffered from a minor injury.

Woman Released Without Bail In Fatal DWI Crash

New York is like all other states in the United States in that it has implied consent laws. An implied consent law basically means that by obtaining a New York driver’s license, you agree to provide law enforcement with a chemical test if intoxication is suspected. While you can legally refuse to take the test, if it is later found that you are, indeed, intoxicated, the penalties can become much more severe. For instance, your license can be suspended, and additional charges can be filed for refusal to submit a chemical test. These laws are in place in order to help curb drinking and driving.

The New York Post reports that a woman involved in a fatal Memorial Day DWI crash was released without bail. 23-year-old Jasmin Morales-Cruz was released by a judge without bail on Tuesday following her arraignment for vehicular manslaughter, DWI, and driving without a license.

The charges stem from a Memorial Day crash in which Morales-Cruz, who does not have a driver’s license, was behind the wheel of an Infiniti sedan. She struck motorcyclist Evvon Alexander. The crash happened near the intersection of Ocean Parkway and Beverly Road at about 3:55 a.m. on Monday.

Alexander was rushed to the hospital following the accident, where he was declared dead. Morales-Cruz’s boyfriend told the police who arrived at the scene that she was driving because he was too impaired to drive. Morales-Cruz refused a breath test at the scene.

This is Morales-Cruz’s first arrest. Family members were on scene at the arraignment who cheered when the judge released Morales-Cruz without bail.

Woman Struggling To Survive After Being Hit By A Bus In The Bronx

According to statistics, nearly 63,000 buses are involved in accidents each year. 325 of those had fatal injuries. 14,000 had non-fatal injuries and 48,000 resulted in property damage only. Of the 375 people who are killed in bus crashes annually, 50 are occupants of the bus, including drivers. 100 of those fatalities are pedestrians and bicyclists. 225 are occupants of the other vehicles. Bus accidents only account for a small percentage of the overall estimated 5,500 fatalities occurring in truck-related crashes. The majority of the buses that are involved in fatal crashes are either school buses or transit buses. 

The New York Post reports that a woman is clinging to life after being hit by a bus in the Bronx. The 52-year-old unnamed female was struck by a bus in front of Lehman College in the Bronx, according to police. 

The incident happened at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The woman was struck by a Bee-Line bus as the vehicle made a left turn at the traffic light on Paul Avenue. The bus driver, identified only as a 43-year-old, was traveling eastbound towards Bedford Park Boulevard West. The front bumper of the bus struck the pedestrian. The victim was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital. She had life-threatening injuries to her head and torso. 

The Bee-Line is Westchester County’s transportation system. It accommodates 27 million passengers annually. 

The bus driver stayed on scene, but it was unclear if there were any passengers. No arrests have been made.

Wrong-Way Accident In Brooklyn Causes Vehicle To Catch Fire, Five Sent To Hospital

According to the Federal Highway Administration, wrong-way collisions are responsible for about 300 to 400 roadway fatalities each year. They are uncommon, accounting for only about 3% of all accidents. Despite this, these types of collisions are the most likely to result in a fatality. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the fatality rate for wrong-way accidents is between 12- and 27 percent higher than all other types of collisions. Wrong-way collisions often have simple causes, such as intoxicated drivers, distracted drivers, drivers who are unfamiliar with the roadways in the area, poorly marked signs and ramps, and drivers who are drowsy.

PIX 11 reports on a deadly wrong-way accident that occurred in Brooklyn.

The crash occurred just before 1 a.m. when a Chevy Impala drove the wrong way down a Brownsville street. It crashed into a Nissan Altima with five people inside.

The crash was located near the intersection of Chester Street and Sutter Avenue. The force of the accident caused one of the vehicles to flip and catch fire.

A 27-year-old man who was seriously injured was transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest. Another passenger also suffered from serious injuries. The other three passengers only had minor injuries.

All five were transported to the hospital.

The victims were visited in the hospital by police chaplain Bishop Willie Billips. He credited the work of the NYPD and NYFD for acting quickly to get all of the victims treated and taken to nearby hospitals.

Young Girl Struck By Suspected Drunk Driver

When involved in an accident involving a drunk driver, people can normally rely on their personal injury protection policy. New York requires that all drivers carry PIP insurance, which goes to pay for injuries and is the first insurance many turn to. However, when injuries or damages exceed PIP coverage, New Yorkers have several other options. One option is to file a claim with the DUI driver’s insurance. A person injured in a DUI accident may also be able to file a claim against the bar or restaurant who served the alcohol to the drunken driver under New York’s dram shop laws.

The Legal Herald reports on a young girl who was struck by a suspected drunk driver in East Aurora, New York.

30-year old Erin Kuntz was driving west on Main Street in East Aurora on Sunday night. For unknown reasons, her vehicle left the roadway and hit a parked car before striking the nine-year-old girl.

According to police, the girl was riding her scooter when she was hit. She sustained serious injuries and was taken to Oishei Children’s Hospital. According to police, her condition is improving.

Kuntz is facing a litany of charges in the accident. These charges include vehicular assault, DUI, marijuana possession, refusing to take a breathalyzer, driving a motor vehicle on a sidewalk, and failure to use a designated lane.

New York is an implied consent state, so anyone with a New York driver’s license agrees to take a breathalyzer test when suspected of DUI. If refused, the penalties can be harsher.

Kuntz was released on her own recognizance and has another court appearance on July 24th.

Young Teen Steals Vehicle, Leads Police On Chase

In New York, underage drivers caught driving without a license can also be charged with reckless driving. While there is not a specific code prohibiting this offense, the underage driver could find themselves facing two charges: underage driver citation and reckless driving. The former is not a serious charge, but when applied in connection with the latter, serious consequences can occur. The underage driver can end up with a criminal record because reckless driving is not a traffic infraction, but a criminal charge. This charge can result in a 30-day jail term and $600 in fines for both the underage driver and the reckless driving charges.

New York Upstate reports on a 14-year-old who stole a vehicle and led police on a chase, resulting in several crashes.

A 14-year-old Oneida county teen reportedly stole a car last Wednesday night and led sheriff’s deputies on a pursuit that was filled with crashes. Deputies were investigating an unrelated incident when they observed a vehicle that had no license plate weaving between lanes and operating erratically.

The vehicle came close to striking a building at the corner of Route 12B and Route 315. The vehicle then turned south on 315. The vehicle then struck several law enforcement vehicles that were in front of The Boro, where police had been investigating the unrelated incident.

The driver continued driving south on 315, crossing traffic lanes into northbound traffic several times. The driver also went off-road several times, at one point striking a mailbox.

At one point, the vehicle stopped, but the driver continued driving, striking a deputy’s patrol vehicle. The deputy was inside the vehicle.

Eventually, the teen lost control of the vehicle, leaving the roadway and striking several trees before coming to a stop.

The teen was from Sangerfield and stole the vehicle from a nearby residence. The teen’s name was not released because he’s a juvenile.

Man Dies After Being Struck On The NY State Thruway

In 2017, the number of traffic fatalities was the lowest it had been since 1910. Pedestrian deaths fell nearly a third from the previous year. The news of the drop in deaths was tempered by a rise in bicyclist and motorcyclist fatalities. 2017 saw 101 pedestrians killed in motor vehicle accidents. In 2013, the year that Mayor Bill de Blasio first proposed his Vision Zero initiative, there were 184 pedestrians killed. Vision Zero is a plan to reduce pedestrian fatalities on the streets of New York City, including lowering speed limits and more stringent enforcement of traffic laws.

The New City Patch reports that a man critically injured after being struck by a vehicle on the New York State Thruway has died.

Last Thursday, police were dispatched to a property-damage accident on I-87 in Rockland County. Upon arrival, they learned that one of the drivers involved had been hit by another car.

The crash occurred at about 11:43 p.m. on the northbound side of the Thruway. Nicholas J. Polao’s vehicle had been disabled on the left shoulder after the first accident. As he attempted to cross the road, he was struck by a BMW driven by 53-year-old Zarita M. Holness.

Polao was transported to Westchester Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He succumbed to his injuries at the hospital the next morning.

Holness was not injured in the crash and was not showing any signs of being impaired.

The Thruway was closed until it was reopened at 4:56 a.m. The accident is being investigated by the New York State Police Troop F Collision Reconstruction Unit.

Man Pleads Guilty In Crash That Killed Five Family Members

Wrong way driving only accounts for a small percentage of overall fatal car accidents, but due to the nature of these accidents, they are more likely to be fatal. This is because a majority of wrong way accidents occur at high speeds and typically involve head-on impact or side-swipe impact. Age has been represented as a factor in wrong way accidents, but statistical data shows that only 15% of wrong way accidents are caused by a driver 64 years of age or older. A higher majority of wrong way accidents are caused by intoxication. Further, wrong way accidents are more likely to occur in urban areas.

The Teaneck Patch reports on a man who has pleaded guilty to charges in a wreck that killed five family members. The crash happened at about 3:47 p.m. on July 6th.

Alvin S. Hubbard was driving a Ford F-350 pickup truck along Route 1 in Townsend, Delaware. Hubbard, who was driving in the left-hand lane, crossed a grassy median into oncoming traffic, striking the minivan carrying the Teaneck New Jersey family, then hitting a second vehicle.

Six members of the Trinidad family were in the minivan. 61-year-old Audie Trinidad, 20-year-old Kaitlyn Trinidad, 17-year-old Danna Trinidad, and 13-year-old twins Melissa and Allison Trinidad were all killed. The only survivor of the accident was wife and mother Mary Rose Ballocoanag. She was seriously injured.

Hubbard pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges of five counts of operating a motor vehicle causing death and three counts of vehicular assault. He faces a sentence of 14 years in prison and a $3,450 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for September.

Syracuse University Coach Involved In Fatal Accident

New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio is attempting to reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities through a program called Vision Zero. The program includes increased enforcement, the timing of traffic lights, and giving pedestrians more time to cross the city’s streets. The program has seen some initial successes, with pedestrian fatalities over the past few years falling, despite an uptick so far this year. These efforts have yet to spread to other jurisdictions, however. ABC 7 New York reports on a fatal accident involving a pedestrian and the couch of Syracuse University’s basketball team.

Late Wednesday night, the coach of the Syracuse University’s men’s basketball team was involved in a fatal accident involving a pedestrian.

Jim Boeheim, 74, was driving home when he swerved to miss a car that had been disabled in the middle of the roadway. 51-year-old Jorge Jiminez had been in the car, which had lost control and hit a guardrail.

Jimenez and three others who had been in the car were walking down the roadway when Boeheim struck and killed Jiminez. Boeheim stopped to render aid to Jiminez. Another person was also injured in the accident.

According to the police, the collision happened on the side of the roadway which was dark and poorly lighted. Boeheim used the light from his cell phone to warn other motorists of the accident. The crash happened shortly after Syracuse won a home game against the University of Louisville.

Two Dead In Snow Slide Accident

Winter can wreak havoc on both vehicles and the roads that they travel upon. While New Yorkers may be used to driving in the snow, even the most careful and well-trained drivers can find themselves facing an accident in snowy conditions. Of course, there are some tips that any driver can follow to help ensure their safety during a snowstorm. Allowing for enough distance between vehicles, generally twice the normal amount, can help to prevent an accident. So can making sure that your tires are properly inflated. It is recommended that drivers not use cruise control on snowy roads. Of course, even taking every precaution cannot prevent every accident, as The Daily News Online reports.

The collision occurred on Saturday on Oak Orchard Road in Albion, the New York State Patrol reports.

Troopers responded at 1:37 p.m., along with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation, to the accident, which involved two vehicles. Investigations revealed that a 2008 Suzuki traveling north on Oak Orchard Road lost control in the snow. The Suzuki slid sideways into a 2011 Chevrolet truck, in which the right passenger side of the Suzuki was struck.

The driver of the Suzuki, 53-year-old Theresa M. Norton, and the passenger, identified as 22-year-old Thomas M. Norton, were both pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the pickup truck, 59-year-old Jeffrey S. Toussaint, suffered from non-life-threatening injuries. He was released from the hospital the same day.

The vehicles were towed from the scene hours after the accident. The state investigation into the accident is still ongoing.

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