Unlicensed Driver Kills Pedestrian, Gets $500 Fine

(Courtesy Fox 5)

In July, a driver with a suspended license was quickly backing up on Amsterdam Avenue to score a parking space when he ran over two women crossing the street at West 98th Street. Yolanda Casal, 78, was pronounced dead at the hospital while the other woman, her 41-year-old daughter Anais Emanuel, was hospitalized with injuries. Shortly after the incident, a witness told the Post, "They had the right of way and that guy just kept backing up. He was trying to get that spot." Now Streetsblog reports that the driver, 38-year-old Edwin Carrasco of Paterson, New Jersey, did not get off scot-free—he'll have to pay $500 as punishment.

Carrasco has a history of license suspensions and reckless driving, and although he was initially charged with driving with a suspended license, unsafe backing and failure to exercise due care, District Attorney Cy Vance did not pursue more serious charges. Streetsblog argues that he could have, under Diego’s Law and Elle’s Law, which were specifically enacted to bring about harsher punishments to drivers who hit pedestrians while driving recklessly.

In September, Carrasco pleaded guilty to aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, a misdemeanor, and will pay a $500 fine. The news comes in the midst of growing outrage about the city's failure to punish drivers who kill or injure pedestrians and cyclists—last month the family of Mathieu Lefevre, a 30-year-old artist who was run over by a truck in East Williamsburg, went to 1 Police Plaza to demand the NYPD explain why no charges would be filed against the driver. As far as we know, no explanation was ever given. (In today's Times, columnist Christopher Grey also laments the increasing dangers faced by pedestrians in NYC.)

On Wednesday, November 30th at 8:30 am, Transportation Alternatives, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio and the friends and families of victims of traffic violence will hold a large rally to demand that dangerous drivers be held accountable. During the rally, they expect to deliver more than 1,300 letters to demanding justice to Police Commissioner Ray Kelly's door.

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

By John Del Signore in News on November 11, 2011 4:32 PM

Comments [rss]

JacksBack72

Is is actually possible. . . That one can kill someone while driving illegally- and then just pay a $500. fine?!?

So- is it $500. per killed person? If he had killed two people- would his fine have been $1,000? THEN- if he had killed two people AND a child under the age of 12, -would that have added only another, say, $250. to his fine!

Perhaps NYState should collect a refundable deposit of $1,000. held in escrow when one's driver's license is suspended! This, against the possibility of the suspended driver killing at least two people during the course of his suspension!!

Bloomberg would probably insist that INTEREST be paid on the VHD- (Vehicular-Homicide Deposit); Bloomberg is such a humanitarian. . . and such a good businessman!

joeyrobots

we should institute "necklacing" in the US for these people.

Barry Bliss

My fear is that if the police don't start prosecuting these killers some citizens are going to start hunting them down and prosecuting them ilegally.

JacksBack72

Actually, Barry- not a bad idea. . .

Guest

Since when do the police prosecute people?

Charles K

That'll teach him!

taracorinne

REMEMBER this doesn't mean the person can't be sued in civil court.

VvM

If there's anything that people should be protesting and rioting over, it's crap like this.

zampano

It's time to Occupy The Streets.

Guest

Manny Lopez is tagged with an $8K fine for prank calls but this wart-of-a human is off the hook for $500 ???

ClaranceOver

Manny Lopez has to pay $8K for prank calls and this wart-of-a-human gets off with $500 ???

rnrnys

Shouldn't they be delivering the "1,300 letters" to the DA's office?

And I'm for reducing the fine to $250 if you hit a cyclist. Anyone with me on this?

Fronko

Please remember this story and others like it the next time people suggest that we require all cyclists to be licensed and registered.

whiteiris

I did as I read the story of the cyclist who put a woman in a coma the other day in Prospect Park.

me4

This person must be part of the 1%. Why else are they getting away with it?

Jimmy

this person was not part of the 1%. its called and accident. and just because you dont have a license doesn't mean should goto jail.

Unkle_Bob

I'm a big believer in accidents - this isn't one of them.

edgie168

cool story bro

Jimmy

the 1% run this world fine. Hippies stink

nicemarmot

Yeah, a dude driving an old station wagon who lives in Paterson is totally loaded! Oh wait no, he was just in a car and therefore is not held accountable for murder, no matter what.