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

Drunk Driver in Large SUV Kills Woman in Williamsburg: Cops

File photo: Dave Colon

A drunk driver fatally struck a woman in Williamsburg on Friday afternoon, cops said.

Details are scant, but according to the NYPD, Lakierdra Thomas, 32, was at Graham Avenue and Broadway when Uri Hochberg, 47, slammed into her with his Jeep Grand Cherokee. Hochberg, of Edison, N.J, was later charged with manslaughter, a serious charge that is rarely leveled unless there's another crime — in this case, DWI.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.

A police spokesman told Streetsblog that Thomas was crossing Graham Avenue — in the crosswalk — when Hochberg hit her as he turned right from Broadway onto Graham. He dragged her under the large SUV for a short distance, the police spokesman said, but then stopped.

The Department of Transportation has long said that SUVs present a much greater danger than regular sedans because their hoodline often pushes victims under the vehicle rather than over it. Also, men prefer driving SUVs — and men tend to be much more reckless drivers, the agency said.

Update: Late on Saturday afternoon, the Daily News added key details about the life of Lakierdra Thomas.

“She was everything to me,” Anthony Lilly, 33, told the tabloid. “She was strong, dramatic, beautiful. Everyone she came across, they just loved her so much. She was one of those genuine souls.”

The paper added no new details of the crash.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Gotcha-Heimer! Anti-Congestion Pricing Jersey Rep. With a City Speeding Ticket Drove to Manhattan on Wednesday

New Jersey's most vociferous opponent of congestion pricing parked illegally and once got a speeding ticket.

April 24, 2024

Under Threat of Federal Suit (Again!), City Hall Promises Action on ‘Unacceptable’ Illegal Police Parking

A deputy mayor made a flat-out promise to eliminate illegal police parking that violates the Americans With Disabilities Act. But when? How? We don't know.

April 24, 2024

Wednesday’s Headlines: Four for Fifth Edition

The good news? There's a new operator for the Fifth Avenue open street. The bad news? It's four blocks, down from 15 last year. Plus other news.

April 24, 2024

MTA Plan to Run Brooklyn-Queens Train on City Streets a ‘Grave’ Mistake: Advocates

A 515-foot tunnel beneath All Faiths Cemetery would slightly increase the cost of the project in exchange for "enormous" service benefits, a new report argues.

April 24, 2024

Full Court Press by Mayor for Congestion Pricing Foe Randy Mastro

Pay no attention to that lawyer behind the curtain fighting for New Jersey, the mayor's team said on Tuesday, channeling the Wizard of Oz.

See all posts