Crossing a street in New York can be a frightening experience, especially during the busy spring and summer months, as one tries not to get hit by a car or other vehicle. Sadly, many local families have had to deal with a fatal accident involving a loved one. Just recently, a Spanish tourist in Morningside was killed in a pedestrian accident. The woman was attempting to cross a street near Columbia University; it is believed she was attempting to tour a local church at the time. Thousands of students and their families were in the area as well for a hooding ceremony and graduation that were taking place.
The day was interrupted when a United Coach Line bus, which had parked near the Teacher’s College of Columbia University, pulled out of its parking spot and hit the woman. The woman was trapped under the front wheels of the bus. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman’s sister, who was with her at the time, was hysterical and had to be taken to the hospital.
Police sources say that the driver did not see the 68-year-old pedestrian as he moved his large vehicle. The accident is currently under investigation and no arrests have been made. United Coach Line Inc., a Staten Island business, was cited in 2011 for a high level of alcohol use. A driver was caught drinking while on the job and was fired. United Coach Line was also placed on notice for driver fatigue and illness as well as failure to maintain driver work logs.
Driver fatigue is a form of negligent driving and can easily cause fatal pedestrian accidents in New York. Pedestrians who are victims of negligent driving, as well as their families, may be able to recover damages from those responsible for their suffering.
Source: New York Daily News, “Woman, 68, killed when struck by double-decker tour bus in Morningside Heights in front of sister’s horrified eyes,” Chris Sommerfeldt and Thomas Tracy, May 21, 2015
