Thackoo Hargobin Killed by School Bus Driver in Queens, No Charges Filed

A man was struck and killed by the driver of a yellow school bus while loading a truck in Queens yesterday.

Thackoo “Tony” Hargobin was struck on Borough Place in Woodside at approximately 8:32 a.m., as he was securing bags of cement to the back of a flatbed, according to reports. He died at the scene. From the Post:

John Garuti, 60, who owns the company where the victim was picking up the cement, said Hargobin died quickly and was lying in a pool of blood still holding the strap used to hold down the load.

“He was gone immediately. There were no chest movements … It’s a terrible shame; he was a nice man. Everybody said he was a nice guy.”

Hargobin, 52, was a grandfather who migrated from Trinidad in 1988, reports said. According to the Trinidad Express, Hargobin’s father was killed in a vehicle crash 16 years ago next month. Said Hargobin’s brother, Pundit Chaitram Hargobin: “My mother is being monitored because this is such a shock to her. She is not taking this well. None of us expected anything like this to happen.”

The Daily News says Hargobin was knocked from the back of his truck. The Post reported that the driver said Hargobin fell off the truck into the path of the bus, a claim disputed by the victim’s employer:

“To make a mistake that would cost him his life is very difficult to believe. We’re not talking about someone who drove for one year; this was a guy who was used to driving heavy trucks,” said Michael Karantinidis, 55, owner of Hephaistos Building Supply in Astoria, where the victim worked for 23 years.

No charges were filed, according to the News.

This fatal crash occurred in the 114th Precinct. To voice your concerns about neighborhood traffic safety directly to Deputy Inspector Stephen Cirabisi, the commanding officer, go to the next precinct community council meeting. The 114th Precinct council meetings happen at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Ricardo’s, 21-04 24th Avenue. Call the precinct at 718-626-9327 for information.

The City Council district where Thackoo Hargobin was killed is represented by Peter Vallone. To encourage Vallone to take action to improve street safety in his district and citywide, contact him at 718-274-4500.