James Neverson Killed by Motorist in East New York; No Charges Filed

An MTA bus driver was struck and killed on his way to work in East New York Tuesday morning.

James Neverson, 63, of Canarsie, had parked his car and was crossing at the intersection of East New York Avenue and Alabama Avenue, near a bus depot, when he was hit by the driver of a Toyota sedan who was northbound on Alabama, according to reports. He died at Brookdale Hospital. From the Daily News:

A worker at the depot said Neverson had been with the MTA for 21 years. He also said that cars often speed past the depot after exiting the Jackie Robinson Parkway, which terminates one block east of the bus garage.

The News, the Post and DNAinfo all note that, according to NYPD, the driver remained at the scene. This is a critical piece of information, as it all but ensures that, regardless of other factors, a city motorist who kills a pedestrian or cyclist will not be charged criminally by police or prosecutors, as long as the driver is not legally drunk.

This fatal crash occurred in the 75th Precinct. To voice your concerns about neighborhood traffic safety directly to Deputy Inspector Stephen Capasso, the commanding officer, go to the next precinct community council meeting. The 75th Precinct council meetings happen at 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month at the precinct, 1000 Sutter Avenue. Call the precinct at 718-827-3529 for information.

The City Council district where James Neverson was killed is represented by Erik Martin Dilan. To encourage Dilan to take action to improve street safety in his district and citywide, contact him at 212-788-7284 or Edilan@council.nyc.gov.

James Neverson was the 35th pedestrian or cyclist known killed in Brooklyn this year. Of those 35 crashes, one sober driver is known to have been charged by Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes for causing a death.