Statement from Transportation Alternatives in Response to Hit and Run Crash that Killed 16-Year-Old While Riding Bike In Queens

Urges Albany to pass the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act, including Sammy’s Law for safer speed limits, on last day of legislative session

NEW YORK - Earlier this month, 16 year old Darwin Durazno was riding his bike in College Point, Queens when police say a driver of a Toyota Camry swerved across double-yellow lines to take over another vehicle and fatally struck the teenager. Durazno was taken to the ICU and pronounced dead earlier this week, on June 10. Police have begun a search for the hit and run driver. 

Statement from Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris: 

“On behalf of Transportation Alternatives, we send our sincerest condolences to the family and community devastated by this tragic crash and heartbreaking loss of a teenager.”

“As New York City opens back up, traffic violence is killing a record number of our neighbors. The numbers in Queens are especially alarming. May 2021 was the deadliest May on Queens streets since Vision Zero began, with 12 fatalities. The previous record was eight.  Additionally,  the first five months of 2021, with 27 deaths, have been the deadliest first five months of a year for Queens since 2014. Hit and runs are also reaching record numbers. The last four quarters combined have had the highest number of hit and runs causing critical injury citywide since this data became publicly available. Our leaders need to treat traffic deaths like the public health epidemic it is.”

“Today, on the last day of the legislative session in Albany, we need Speaker Carl Heastie and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins to deliver a cure and advance the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act, a package of lifesaving traffic safety measures. Part of this package includes Sammy’s Law, allowing NYC to set safer speed limits and combat the epidemic of traffic violence. This is a measure that is supported by 72 percent of New York City voters. This is a measure that is proven to save lives.”

“If Albany closes this session without delivering this cure for traffic deaths, more New Yorkers will die. We call on Speaker Heastie and Majority Leader Stewart Cousins to advance Sammy’s Law before session ends today and save lives on our streets.” 

Additional information on background:

Crash Data: Approximately 1,000 New Yorkers are killed in traffic violence each year statewide. In New York City, traffic deaths have risen over the past two years, and are on track to break records in 2021.  The last 12 months have been the deadliest 12 month period since Vision Zero began in 2014. New York City also reached 100 traffic deaths in May of 2021. Usually this grim milestone is reached in June or July each year. 

Polling: A recent Emerson College survey found that 68 percent of New York City voters support lowering speed limit from 25 to 20 mph; 72 percent believe should have the authority to set its own speed limits, as Sammy’s Law legislation currently pending in Albany would provide. 

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