Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Canarsie

Man Sees Driver Run Stop Sign and Kill His Wife; NYPD: “No Criminality”

A woman was killed by a bus driver in Brooklyn this morning. Despite an account from the victim's husband that the driver blew a stop sign, NYPD has already declared that "No criminality is suspected."

At around 7:15 a.m., Lorraine Ferguson, 48, was crossing at Avenue K and 105th Street in Canarsie to catch the BM2 when the driver of a bus carrying disabled children rounded the corner and ran her over, according to the Post.

The driver of this bus looks the be another beneficiary of NYPD's casual approach to deadly traffic crashes. Photo: Post

"I saw the woman under the bus. Her head was smashed," said Tanzania Martin, 22. "She was totally gone. The bus driver never came out. I had to go in and ask, are you okay? He said yes."

Police say no criminality is suspected and the driver stayed on the scene, but the investigation is ongoing.

"Had he stopped for one second, my wife would still be alive," [Michael] Ferguson said. "My wife didn’t have a chance."

"No criminality suspected" is NYPD's way of saying that the driver was not intoxicated and did not flee the scene -- and therefore will almost certainly face no criminal charges, and has a good chance of driving away without as much as a summons for careless driving.

It is almost unheard of for police to file charges against a driver who kills a pedestrian or cyclist unless they do so at the time of the crash. Even a driver who appears to have broken at least two laws -- running a stop sign and failing to yield -- can expect to be cleared of wrongdoing on the spot.

Like his colleagues in the other four boroughs, Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes virtually never charges a killer motorist with a crime unless alcohol or drugs are involved, though exceptions may be made when the perpetrator leaves the scene.

This fatal crash occurred in the 69th Precinct. To voice your concerns about neighborhood traffic safety directly to Deputy Inspector George Fitzgibbon, the commanding officer, go to the next precinct community council meeting. The 69th Precinct council meetings happen at 8 p.m. on the last Tuesday of the month at the precinct, 9720 Foster Avenue, or St. Alban's Church, 9408 Farragut Road. Call 718-257-6205 for information.

The City Council district where Lorraine Ferguson was killed is represented by Charles Barron, who has been supportive of new car-free space for his constituents. To encourage Barron to take action to improve street safety in his district and citywide, contact him at 212-788-6957, or wake up his Twitter feed @CharlesBarron12.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Air Quality Stats Dispel Earlier Forecasts for Congestion Pricing Pollution

Air quality has improved or remained steady across the five boroughs since congestion pricing launched in January, city health department data showed.

July 7, 2025

New ‘Rush’ Routes Launch With Queens Overhaul More Than Five Years in the Making

The MTA's new "rush" routes make fewer stops in busy downtown areas to avoid wasted time merging in and out of traffic.

July 7, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Run This Town Edition

The 34th Street busway is the latest casualty of the mayor's lack of a spine on transportation issues. Plus more news.

July 7, 2025

Beach Reading: Zohran Mamdani’s Answers to Streetsblog’s Mayoral Candidate Survey

Spend the holiday weekend with Zohran Mamdani's answers to Streetsblog's mayoral candidate questionnaire.

July 4, 2025

Friday Video: Why NYC Needs ‘Low-Traffic Neighborhoods’

London's Church Street, like so many of our business corridors, was choking on cars — until the advent of the low-traffic neighborhood.

July 4, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: E-Bikes in Parks … Permanently Edition

The Parks Department will permanently allow e-bikes in city parks following a two-year pilot. Plus more news.

July 4, 2025
See all posts