By The newspaper
04 Jun 2024, 01:19 AM EDT
A 63-year-old man in a wheelchair who was crossing a street in Brooklyn (NYC) died when he was hit by the driver of an SUV vehicle.
The victim was crossing New Lots Ave. near Mother Gaston Blvd. in Brownsville when he was struck by the driver of a gray Honda CR-V around 10:05 p.m. Saturday, the NYPD said.
Paramedics took him to Brookdale University Hospital, but they couldn’t save him, he said. DailyNews. His name was not released. The 67-year-old driver remained at the scene. He did not face immediate charges, as police continued to investigate the cause of the crash.
According to research from Georgetown University, accidents are 36% more likely to kill a pedestrian using a wheelchair than a walker.
Yesterday Transportation Alternatives, a pedestrian and cyclist advocacy group, issued a statement lamenting this new fatality: “We are devastated to hear that a person who used a wheelchair died in an act of preventable road violence.”
“Our leaders have the power to prevent accidents and save lives. Mayor (Eric) Adams cannot fall further behind the mandates outlined in the New York City Streets Plan to build car-free spaces for pedestrians, protected bike lanes, and new bus lanes, all measures proven to prevent road violence. We also need the City Council to fulfill its commitment to illuminate at least 1,000 intersections with natural light per year. “Daylighting is especially critical to protect our smallest and most vulnerable pedestrians, such as children or wheelchair users.”
The authorities remember that there is zero tolerance for drivers who drive at excess speed and/or under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Traffic accidents are a big challenge in New York and in many cases drivers flee. This despite “Vision Zero,” a road safety plan created in 2014 by then-new Mayor Bill de Blasio, who promised to make the city safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists with a goal of zero deaths. for this year 2024.
Last month, a 71-year-old Puerto Rican grandmother died after being hit by a driver fleeing the police in Brooklyn (NYC). She left the scene by getting on the subway and has not been arrested. Her daughter was injured. Ironically, just hours before, Governor Kathy Hochul had signed the so-called Sammy’s Law that reduces the speed limit to 20 mph and even 10 mph on some streets in the five boroughs of NYC to protect pedestrians. So far this year more than 40 people have been run over in the city.
In December, Governor Hochul signed “Angelica’s Law,” intended to keep drivers with prior suspensions off the road by charging repeat offenders who operate vehicles after committing five or more traffic violations that resulted in suspensions with felony charges. or revocations.
- 2024 is the deadliest year on New York asphalt since the creation of Vision Zero to prevent deaths