Family Of Man Killed In Bus Shelter Crash Wants Justice

Days after the 76-year-old was fatally struck by a livery cab that crashed into a bus shelter in the Bronx, Marcelino Adraneda's family is preparing for his funeral. Adraneda was pinned by the cab and his leg was apparently severed; his granddaughter told the Daily News, "I don't want to think about the pain he was in. Only the good times and his smile." But one thing the family cannot believe is that the minivan driver whose illegal U-turn allegedly caused the livery cab to swerve into the shelter only got a summons. Adraneda's daughter spoke to the Post, "We would like to see some charges against the driver," and a grandson said the driver didn't even apologize. Six other people were injured, including a woman whose foot was cut off.

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By Jen Chung in News on August 12, 2010 12:20 PM

Comments [rss]

nicemarmot

What would happen if there was any actual justice:

U-turn guy would get a heavy fine and probation for contributing to a deadly accident. He would lose his license for life.

Livery cab guy would get 5 years in prison for manslaughter and grievous bodily harm. Needless to say, he should never be able to drive again either.

What will actually happen:

Neither driver will get in any significant legal trouble. The families will sue somebody, probably the city, and take a hefty helping of our tax dollars.

Sound about right? Seriously, if you're at fault contributing to or causing an accident that kills someone, you should never be allowed to drive again, ever, at the very least. But the worst drivers seem to get off with a slap on the wrist, and it's not just in New York, it's a problem all over. Apparently a car doesn't qualify as a deadly weapon in the eyes of the law.

Aleksey

It's not the fault of the driver who was making a u-turn, the livery cab was speeding and the driver should face manslaughter charges.

You simple DON'T crash into a bus stop because somebody is making an illegal u-turn at 30MPH. If the guy was making you turn on a highway while everybody was doing 80MPH then I can see possibility of plowing into a bus stop.

But on public street, there should be enough time to stop and let the guy perform a u-turn or go around it.

End of story.

snickerdoodle

"Family Of Man Killed In Bus Shelter Crash Wants Money."

Fixed it for you.

Petey

pretty much sums it up. Justice = money to so many of these people.

Brooklyn

May the driver of the minivan and the livery cab driver be haunted to premature deaths themselves by their actions.

exApathy

It is not clear whether or not the type of summon served will result in a sufficient punishment towards the driver, since a "summons" covers a broad range of legal actions/ processes. But I do agree with the family; we can not let this go unpunished or result in something that does not do justice for the family. Sure, it is impossible for us to bring the dead back to life, but we should at least aim to make this event an example for other reckless driver when paired with expected AND sufficient legal consequences. In the end, I hope his death will not be in vain.