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

SI Motorist Who Killed Maria Serrano Pled Guilty to Violating Victim’s Right of Way

Since 2009 dozens of people have been injured in crashes at the Staten Island intersection where a motorist fatally struck Maria Serrano. Photo: Google Maps

The motorist who killed 50-year-old Maria Serrano in a Staten Island crosswalk pled guilty to violating her right of way. The victim’s estate is also pursuing a claim in civil court.

Serrano was crossing Richmond Road at Amboy Road with her dog on the morning of May 28, 2016, when Luigi Tucci hit her with a Toyota pickup truck while turning left onto Richmond, according to reports published after the crash.

A witness told the Staten Island Advance Tucci hit Serrano with such force that she was "catapulted into the air." She sustained head and bodily injuries and died a day later.

Serrano's dog, Oscar, went missing from the scene. He was found unharmed a few days after the crash.

Police charged Tucci, then 71, with misdemeanor failure to yield and careless driving, which is a traffic infraction. According to the Advance, Tucci pled guilty to both counts.

Tucci was sentenced to participate in a victim impact panel and complete a driving course. The misdemeanor count was subsequently reduced to a disorderly conduct violation, the Advance reported. Tucci was fined $250.

Motorists have injured five other people walking at Richmond Road and Amboy Road since 2009, according to City Hall's crash data map. Twenty-two motor vehicle occupants were hurt in crashes at Richmond and Amboy during that time frame.

Serrano's estate has filed a civil suit against Tucci and the company that owned the truck he was driving. From the Advance:

The civil complaint alleges the occurrence was caused by the defendants' "negligence, carelessness, and recklessness" in the operation and ownership of the vehicle.

The complaint further contends Tucci negligently proceeded through the intersection while Serrano was crossing, and turned left "when it was unsafe to do so."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Crossing the T’s: State Finally Signs Federal Agreement To Start Congestion Pricing

She can't back out this time — though there still are some court hurdles to leap.

November 22, 2024

Friday’s Headlines: City of Yes Edition

There was only one story yesterday: The embattled mayor succeeded in passing what might become the signature initiative of his one term. But there was other news, too.

November 22, 2024

Analysis: Mayor Gets the ‘W,’ But Council Turns His Zoning Plan into ‘City Of Yes … Sort Of’

The City Council took a crucial step towards passing City of Yes, but it also let low density areas opt out of much of the plan.

November 22, 2024

Five Ways New NYPD Boss Jessica Tisch Can Fix Our Dangerous Streets

If the Sanitation Commissioner wants to use her new position to make city streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, here's where she can start.

November 21, 2024
See all posts