Why Let a Reckless Driver Behind the Wheel of Your Campaign Bus?
The scene of the collision that killed Ibrihim Ahmed. Photo: Dennis Clark/New York PostThe daily papers are reporting on the death of Ibrihim Ahmed, a nine-year-old boy who was struck by a local politician's campaign bus while walking home from school in Ozone Park yesterday. The fatal collision happened in full view of students and parents at the intersection of Cross Bay Boulevard and Liberty Avenue.
The vehicle that struck Ahmed, described as a motor home by the Daily News, belonged to the campaign of Michael Ricatto, a businessman running for Joseph Addabbo's vacated seat in the City Council. Behind the wheel: Alexander Aponte, a 22-year-old with a suspended license. The News cites an eyewitness who says, one can assume, that Aponte was accelerating through the intersection:
Witness Raymond Sierra, 19, said it appeared Aponte was attempting to beat the traffic light when he hit the boy, who was walking in the crosswalk.
"Itlooked like he was trying to make the light," said Sierra, explainingthat the light had turned yellow when the motor home struck the child.
By all accounts, the intersection is a nightmare to cross. But with all due respect to the distressed Ricatto (Post sub-head: "Candidate Devastated"), the most pressing question is this: Why did his campaign allow someone without a valid license to drive this massive, dangerous vehicle?
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog New York City
Eyes on the Street: ‘Daylighting’ NYC Intersections Needs More Than Paint and Signs
We're gonna need more than paint and signs.
Tuesday’s Headlines: Gridlock Alert — And Gridlock Abort — Day Edition
A "Gridlock Alert" day is a perfect day for supporters of congestion pricing to rally in Union Square! Plus other news.
‘Crazy Nonsense’: City Now Allows (Cough) Plateless Vehicles to (Cough) Break Idling Law
City environmental protection officials are now refusing to punish owners of commercial vehicles for idling if the trucks don't have license plates — a move that has enraged citizen enforcers.
The Explainer: What’s Next for Congestion Pricing?
Let's run through the major issues still looming over New York City's first-in-the-nation congestion toll.
Monday’s Headlines: Congestion Ahead Edition
Good news: We're not going to start our week with our typical ascent on our long-legged steed to criticize the Times for its flawed, car-centric coverage. Plus other news.
