District Attorneys
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Queens DA Richard Brown on Driver Who Killed Allison Liao: Accidents Happen
A letter from District Attorney Richard Brown's office explaining why no charges were filed against the driver who killed 3-year-old Allison Liao offers disturbing insight into the mindset of prosecutors charged with holding motorists accountable for serious traffic crashes in Queens.
November 17, 2014
Ken Thompson Secures Manslaughter Conviction for Crash That Killed Driver
In an unusual instance of a sober driver facing penalties for causing a death, Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson secured a manslaughter conviction for a crash that killed a second motorist.
November 13, 2014
Chin Joins Victims’ Families to Blast Lax Enforcement of Street Safety Law
Drivers have killed four pedestrians in and around Chinatown since late August. Despite a new law on the books that could be applied in some of these cases, NYPD and Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance have not filed charges against the drivers. Yesterday, Council Member Margaret Chin gathered with victims' families and community board leaders to demand justice. Chin also announced legislation calling on DOT to study street safety on busy truck routes like Canal Street.
November 11, 2014
It’s Still Legal to Run Over a Child on a New York City Sidewalk [Updated]
An 8-year-old girl run over on the sidewalk outside her Bronx school Friday was one of at least two New York City pedestrians killed by motorists over the weekend. A woman struck while walking to work in Brooklyn Sunday morning was the second victim. No charges have been filed in either crash. NYPD and the Post blamed the Brooklyn victim for her own death.
October 27, 2014
DA Cy Vance: $250 Fine for Motorist Accused of Deliberately Striking Cyclist
Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance dropped assault charges against a hit-and-run driver accused of intentionally ramming a cyclist with an SUV, allowing the defendant to plead guilty to leaving the scene and pay a small fine, according to court documents and the victim's attorney, Steve Vaccaro.
October 22, 2014
Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson: $500 Fine for Unlicensed Driver Who Killed Senior
An unlicensed driver was sentenced to a small fine and probation after he ran over and killed a Brooklyn senior who was crossing with the right of way, per the terms of a plea deal with District Attorney Ken Thompson. Though the driver was charged with committing two traffic offenses at the time of the crash, he was not charged with criminal negligence under the so-called "rule of two."
October 6, 2014
Vance Brings Manslaughter Charge in Death of Pedestrian Charity Hicks
A motorist charged with manslaughter for the death of a Manhattan pedestrian is scheduled to appear in court later this week.
September 30, 2014
Will Cy Vance Fail to Prosecute Another Serious Midtown Curb-Jump Crash?
New Yorkers have seen this before.
August 7, 2014
DA Thompson Plea Deal: Serial Unlicensed Driver Fined $250 for Deadly Crash
A serial unlicensed driver who killed a pedestrian will pay a few hundred dollars in fines pursuant to a plea deal with Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson.
August 6, 2014
Will DA Ken Thompson Investigate Killing of 14-Year-Old Nicholas Soto?
Following the vehicular killing of 14-year-old Nicholas Soto in Red Hook Monday morning, anonymous police sources were quick to blame the victim, though the crash happened near a school bus and sent Soto through the air, witnesses said. According to press accounts, NYPD won't say if the driver who struck Soto was speeding through an area of Red Hook where drivers routinely endanger lives. Meanwhile, the local precinct community council is scheduled to meet tonight.
June 3, 2014