The New York Post reports that New York State lawmakers are calling for stricter punishment against drivers of e-scooters following the tragic hit-and-run crash which led to the death of ‘Gone Girl’ actress Lisa Banes.
New York State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) and Assemblywoman Lisa Rosenthal (D- Manhattan) said in a joint statement on Wednesday, June 16. 2021 that there needs to be harsher punishment against drivers of electronic scooters that flee the scene of injury and fatality accidents.
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The fatal crash occurred at the intersection of West 64th and Amsterdam Avenue on June 5, 2021. A spokesperson for the NYPD said in a statement that is where Banes was “mowed down” by the driver of an electronic scooter. The rider fled the scene of the crash.
Currently, New York law makes it a felony for any motorist who gets into an accident and flees the scene. However, a similar accident involving an electronic scooter, even when it involves serious injury or death, is treated as a misdemeanor.
“That makes no sense,” Hoylman said in his statement. “Our laws need to catch up with the times.”
Both lawmakers are calling on the State government to bring hit-and-run penalties in line, regardless of what type of vehicle is involved.
Currently, there is no law requiring the driver of an electronic scooter to be license
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