Fatal Downtown Crash Driver to be Charged with DWI

Photograph of the FDNY inspecting the crushed motorcycle by dietrich on Flickr

Police say the driver who hit two motorcyclists, killing one, in Lower Manhattan yesterday afternoon will be charged with driving while under the influence; WABC 7 says he was "believed to be on drugs."

The driver, in a Volkswagen Jetta, was heading south on South Street when, per the NY Sun, he "passed a parked MTA bus and then struck the motorcyclists at the intersection of South and Whitehall Streets." Two people on one bike were hit, while the Daily News reports the car "ran over the second bike, fatally crushing the rider underneath." The car continued into barriers near the Staten Island Ferry Terminal.

One reader suggested the car was traveling very fast. A man driving a bus told the News the car "hit the motorcycles from behind and never stopped until it rammed the wall. I'm driving a bus full of 13-year-olds. I'm sorry they had to see this."

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By Jen Chung in News on July 22, 2008 9:00 AM

Comments [rss]

42 Degrees

People are simply too insulated from consequences in an automobile. Remove the airbags, the collapsible steering column, and the seat belts. Put the risk back on the reckless, careless, inattentive, and/or drunk driver. I'd bet if everyone had a three inch spike, point out, mounted on their steering wheel, the roads would be much calmer.

Spirit of 76

What makes you think people aren't just as upset about those practices? Unfortunately, it would be political suicide for Congress to mandate 60mph maximum speed for all new cars.

JMH

I agree with the above sentiments, but I don't see why people aren't equally upset when the same thing happens involving a driver who is "merely" recklessly driving too fast or not paying attention to what's going on around them, rather than under the influence.