Families For Safe Streets Statement in Response to Mother Killed By Truck Driver While Pushing Baby In Stroller In Queens
NEW YORK - Earlier today, a truck driver killed a 40-year-old woman in her forties while she pushed her 18-month-old in a stroller at 150th Street in Whitestone, Queens. Citywide, 122 people have been killed in fatal crashes since the start of 2021, 39 percent more than 2020 and the highest number by this point in the year since Mayor de Blasio took office. In Queens, 34 people have been killed, the highest number by this point in the year since 2014.
Statement from Rita Barravecchio, Families for Safe Streets Steering Committee Member and aunt of Madeline Sershen, killed at age 17 by a reckless driver while crossing the street mere blocks away from today’s crash site in Whitestone, Queens:
“Three years ago - almost to the day - a reckless driver killed my 17-year-old niece Madeline while she crossed a nearby street in Whitestone. Despite tragedy after tragedy, streets in Whitestone and across New York City are still not safe. Now, this young child has to grow up without their mother because traffic violence has torn apart another family.”
“We have partnered with Mayor de Blasio for years to launch and grow Vision Zero because we know that traffic violence can be prevented. But right now, New York City is opening back up, speeding and reckless driving are out of control, and there is no urgency to prevent more deaths on our streets. We need our current mayor to take immediate action to save lives, we need Albany to pass Sammy’s Law, and we need our next mayor to take a bolder and stronger approach to redesigning streets for safety.”
“Families for Safe Streets is a club that no one should ever have to join, but right now, our membership is growing at an alarming rate. New Yorkers need leaders who will confront and combat traffic violence like the urgent public health crisis that it is.”
“On behalf of Families for Safe Streets, we send our deepest condolences to all those devastated by this senseless act of traffic violence today. Our hearts ache as we know this nightmare all too well. We will continue fighting until no one needs to fear death or injury when crossing the street.
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