Yesterday's Other Vehicle-Into-Building Incident

An hour before an allegedly drunk driver accelerated onto a Midtown sidewalk, killing a pregnant woman and injuring another, a cab driver ended up driving into a pizzeria on Amsterdam Avenue at West 106th Street. Seven people—including the cab's passenger—were injured and one victim was seriously injured.

A witness said two girls were sitting at a table at the window when the cab crashed through. A mother, who had been at the counter with her two daughters when the windows exploded, said her kids "flew" into the air from the impact.

According to the Post, "Witnesses said the cab was competing with another car to make a turn when it careened, skidded and hit a pole, then veered into the pizzeria, leaving a trail of broken glass and wood." The police told us no charges were filed because there was no criminality involved.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on March 28, 2009 5:35 PM

Comments [rss]

drewo

The authorities seem to think that automobile mayhem is some kind of natural phenomena. Like earthquakes or tornados.

Radtard

Wow....

I won't lie I'm usually one to sit back and just shake my head but this is pushing me over the edge.

Whatever happened to accountability! Its really simple: YOU FUCKED UP now you gotta deal with the consequences of your actions....

drewmaster

They can't even charge the cabbie with reckless driving? Wow.

handsomedevil

If it's really true that you get a ticket and points on your license for disobeying one of those "no left turn" signs or speeding or whatever, but no penalty for driving up on the sidewalk and smashing into something (or somebody), that's pretty illogical.

Criminal charges is one thing, and I can see how that's a matter for the DA, but there should at least be moving violations.

whitecastlerock

Don't worry Gothamist commenters will fill you in on any legal loopholes. Spirit of 76? Where are you?

Snoopy

He should be here shortly.

It looks like one of those eco friendly cabs. Actually they are regular light weight vehicles painted yellow. Let's see how well they hold up to the rigors of the streets of NY in a year or two.

Eventually a company will come out with a sturdy vehicle like the old Checker Cabs. Nothing fancy just sensible.

FlowerGal

Ditto.

I'm gearing up for the fall election and will make the NYPD and its policies one of my issues. It's obvious that they have little value for life and the quality of life in this city. The stories continue to emerge about their selectivity when it comes to enforcement of our laws. That and the dollars the city has spent in defending and losing law suits due to the actions by our officers.

I am very concerned with the police's response (and the Mayor's silence) with the Chinatown incident as compared with the 24 hours in jail for jumping a turnstile arrest. I'm going to dig a bit into the Fourteenth Amendment - Equal Protection of the Law and the nuances with regards to selectivity of enforcement. I wish the ACLU would look as well.

Bloomberg & Co. will hear from me. I'm tired of this.

shovel

The other story made me angry enough, but if the NYPD is truly refusing to file charges in this case (as in the Chinatown incident), I'm beyond disgusted. What can we do? I wouldn't know where to begin.

NannyState

I hear ya. Maybe it's time for Singapore-style remedies for these terrible incidents. Driving a car is a privilege, especially on the island, and people who are thoughtless or abusive behind the wheel need tough sanctions. You want to ease congestion, Bloomie? Get rid of all the idiot jerky drivers.