Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Robert Morgenthau

Morgenthau: Negligent Crane Riggers, Beware. Negligent Drivers, Carry On.

china_chalet_van.jpgNo charges have been filed against the driver responsible for the fatal China Chalet van crash. Photo: New York Times

Yesterday the Department of Buildings released a report faulting improper rigging in the March 2008 crane collapse that killed seven people on 51st Street. The rigger and his employer were indicted in January on charges of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault and reckless endangerment, City Room reminds us -- the result of a vigorous response from Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau:

The collapse, and another fatal crane accident three months later,led to a series of investigations by Mr. Morgenthau's office and thecity Department of Investigation that exposed corruption andincompetence in the building agency’s Cranes and Derricks Division andled to several arrests.

That inquiry, as well as the death of two firefighters at the formerDeutsche Bank tower, exposed missteps by the Buildings Department andother city, state and federal agencies and led to reforms and sweepingchanges in how the city regulates and oversees construction.

Meanwhile, Morgenthau's office has sat on another case of deadly on-the-job negligence: the restaurant van driver whose three-ton vehicle killed two young children in Chinatown this January after he left it double-parked and idling. The driver could have prevented that fatal collision simply by turning off the ignition and setting the emergency brake, a far easier task than rigging a 22-story crane.

If Morgenthau's office should decide to pursue charges of criminal negligence in this case, it could help set an important precedent: that drivers should be expected to exercise greater caution in dense urban areas where their actions carry disproportionate risk.

At Monday's rally outside Morgenthau's office, Jon Adler, a representative for the victims' families, explained that the legal standard for determining criminal negligence hinges upon what a "reasonable person" would be expected to do in a given situation. "A reasonable person driving a vehicle of that nature would -- if they had to double-park it -- turn it off," he said. "The man made a conscious decision to leave that vehicle running, and he accepted the risk. The consequences of two children dying from him accepting that risk -- he didn't even get issued a summons. There is nothing done by the DA in terms of enforcement to act as a deterrent to any other driver doing the same thing."

In a city where sidewalks are full of people, residents need the force of law to protect them from the risks that accompany the operation of multi-ton vehicles. "If you look around where this occurred, it occurred on a crowded Chinatown street, so you have to take that into consideration," said Peter Goldwasser, staff attorney at Transportation Alternatives. "It wasn't a rural country road."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

DOT Stands By Astoria Safety Project Despite Foes’ Anti-Bike Lawsuit

Businesses are suing — and doubling down on anti-safety misinformation — about a simple and important traffic calming and protected bike lane project in Astoria.

August 8, 2025

Mamdani Promises New Path For Bus Projects As MTA Leader Finally Loses Patience With Mayor Adams

The Democratic nominee says he'll only ask one thing when determining which bus improvements will go forward: will it serve bus riders.

August 8, 2025

We Told You So! DOT’s Anti-Daylighting ‘Scare Tactic’ Now Fuels Pro-Car Pols

DOT is finding common ground with pro-car, street safety foes.

August 8, 2025

Friday Video: The Triumph — And Tragedy — of Summer Streets

Summer Streets is great — can we do this every weekend? Um, no.

August 8, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Fixing Canal Street Edition

DOT will lower the speed limit on the Manhattan Bridge lanes that feed onto Canal Street. Plus more news.

August 8, 2025
See all posts