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

NYPD Issues Careless Driving Summons for Death of Bronx Senior

A 66-year-old woman struck by a driver last week in Hunts Point was at least the 29th senior killed by a New York City motorist in 2013, and the third person killed by a driver in the City Council district represented by Maria del Carmen Arroyo in five weeks.

Maria Montalvo. Photo via News 12
Maria Montalvo. Photo via News 12
Maria Montalvo. Photo via News 12

Reports said Maria Montalvo was in a crosswalk at Hunts Point Avenue and Lafayette Avenue last Friday at around 10:40 a.m. when the driver of a Nissan pickup truck struck her while making a left turn.

From DNAinfo:

Moments after the crash, Montalvo's husband and adult daughter rushed to her side from their nearby apartment building. O'Neill, who has known the family for 35 years, declined to give their names.

"He went to his wife, looked down and lost it," he said.

Montalvo's daughter was equally emotional, screaming, "It's my mother, what happened, who hit her?" according to O'Neill.

Montalvo died at Lincoln Hospital. News 12 reported that the 55-year-old male driver was issued summonses for failure to exercise due care and failure to yield to a pedestrian.

The crash happened in daylight hours, and Montalvo walked with a cane. So if this incident occurred as reported, it's pretty clear that the victim died as a result of negligent behavior on the part of the driver. Still, it's impossible to know exactly what factors led NYPD to issue summonses.

Careless driving was intended to be a default infraction for crashes that injure vulnerable street users. But in the hands of NYPD it is reserved for very serious injuries or fatalities, and is seemingly used in place of criminal charges. Historically, fewer than 1 percent of New York City drivers who injure and kill pedestrians and cyclists are cited for careless driving.

Reckless drivers have killed three people in Arroyo's council district since the start of October. Witnesses said the motorist who hit 74-year-old Candida Acosta of Mott Haven on November 5 was speeding and ran a stop sign before jumping a curb and slamming into an apartment building. The driver was not charged or summonsed by NYPD. Nor was the school bus driver who ran over Genielle Laboriel on October 2, as the victim was riding a skateboard across E. 160th Street from a Melrose Avenue sidewalk.

After speaking with her staff last week, Streetsblog was expecting to hear back from Arroyo's office regarding the death of Candida Acosta. We've queried her staff again concerning whether the council member is in touch with NYPD about the spate of traffic fatalities in her district, which includes the 40th, 41st, and 42nd Precincts.

At least 30 pedestrians and cyclists age 65 or older have been killed by New York City drivers in 2013. Three days after Maria Montalvo was struck, Olga Rivera was hit by a driver in East Harlem on her 65th birthday.

This fatal crash occurred in the 41st Precinct. To voice your concerns about neighborhood traffic safety directly to Captain Philip P. Rivera, the commanding officer, go to the next precinct community council meeting. The 41st Precinct council meetings happen at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month at the precinct, 1035 Longwood Avenue. Call 718-542-7964 for information.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Pedestrian on Bedford Av. Hours Before Long-Stalled Safety Redesign Begins

The driver was traveling so quickly that the victim was tossed high in the air before landing back on the car hood and being tossed to the side of the road as the killer drove off.

October 11, 2024

Manhattanites To DOT: Open Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path ‘Without Delay’

"It’s really inappropriate for the DOT to delay," said one member of Manhattan Community Board 6.

October 11, 2024

Council Seeks to Force DOT to Build 175 E-Bike Charging Hubs 

A new bill would force the DOT to build over 100 charging hubs, but will it be enough to keep up with demand?

October 11, 2024

Friday Video: A Vision for West 72nd Street

Maybe someday, a roadway that devotes 88 percent of its space to a tiny minority of users (drivers) could finally work for everyone. We can dream, can't we?

October 11, 2024

Friday’s Headlines: Yes, We Will Mention the Yankees Edition

We are praying for the first Subway Series since 2000. Plus other news.

October 11, 2024
See all posts