All too often, a New York City driver jumps a curb, strikes a pedestrian (or 10), and is on his or her way without so much as a traffic ticket. If the motorist is a repeat drunk driver, or if the crash kills a teenager, it might grab the public's attention for a moment. But usually, victims are transported to the hospital, debris is swept away, and as far as police and prosecutors are concerned, all is forgotten. No investigation. No arrests. No summonses.
Shortly after 6:45 p.m. yesterday, police say a woman driving a minivan on Boston Road in the Bronx was cut off by another driver near Corsa Avenue in Williamsbridge. She swerved onto the sidewalk, crashing into four storefronts and injuring two pedestrians, who along with the driver were transported to Jacobi Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening, according to FDNY.
Because no one was killed or seriously injured, NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad did not launch an investigation. A police spokesperson could not say whether the second motorist stayed at the scene or drove off. NYPD did, however, tell Streetsblog that there is "no criminality" and that no summonses were issued. No summonses for passing unsafely. No speeding tickets.
The speed limit on this section of Boston Road is 25 mph. Last year, the 47th Precinct, where the crash occurred, issued 183 speeding tickets -- about one every other day -- and two tickets for improper passing. To voice your concerns about neighborhood traffic safety directly to Deputy Inspector Brian M. Mullen, the commanding officer, go to the next community council meeting. The 47th Precinct council meets at 8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. Call the precinct's community affairs office at 718-920-1202 for more information.
This crash occurred in City Council District 12, which is represented by Andy King. To encourage Council Member King to take action to improve street safety in his district and citywide, contact him at 212-788-6873 or 718-788-6873.
One final note: the only city agency that investigated the scene was the Department of Buildings, according to WCBS, and DOB has good news. The smashed storefronts remain structurally sound.
