Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.
Recent Posts
Vance: Tour Bus Driver Who Killed Pedestrian Convicted of Manslaughter
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A tour bus driver who killed a pedestrian in Hell’s Kitchen while driving drunk has been convicted of manslaughter and homicide. Steve Drappel, now 60, was making a left turn from 47th Street onto Ninth Avenue at around 10 p.m. on May 7, 2011, when he ran over 29-year-old Timothy White, according to published reports […]
Arthur Chi’en of WPIX Has Raised the Bar for NYC Traffic Violence Reportage
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If you haven’t seen it, you should have a look at Arthur Chi’en’s story on the growing movement to keep children safe from reckless New York City drivers, which aired last night on WPIX. Chi’en spoke with Amy Tam and Hsi-Pei Liao, whose little girl Allison Liao was killed by a driver in a crosswalk in Flushing. […]
Another Serious Crash in 72nd Precinct Leaves Teenager in Critical Condition
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A teenager was critically injured Tuesday when a motorist struck her in a Sunset Park crosswalk. Yasmelin Iglesias, 16, was crossing the street with her mother at 48th Street and Sixth Avenue at around 9 a.m. when she was hit by the driver of a commercial van, who according to the Daily News was traveling […]
Public Still Doesn’t Know Why Cy Vance Failed to Charge in Sian Green Case
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Last Friday WNYC ran a piece in which Bronx vehicular crimes chief Joe McCormack explained why he thought Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance failed to file charges against the cab driver who drove onto a Midtown sidewalk and severed the leg of tourist Sian Green. The story offers valuable insight into the mindset of prosecutors, but […]
NYPD’s Pedestrian Safety Message Hasn’t Changed at All Under Ray Kelly
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Those NYPD pedestrian safety tips that Streetsblog posted Wednesday? It turns out they’re nothing new — in fact, they date from at least the Giuliani administration. Despite all the progress the city has made on street safety and all the research the city has produced on the leading causes of pedestrian injuries and deaths, under Ray Kelly, the […]
Vaccaro: Vance Didn’t Need to Prove “Intent” to Convict Driver in Green Case
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Cy Vance’s office does not discuss vehicular crimes cases, even after they are disposed or when no charges are filed. After declining to prosecute the cabbie who drove onto a Midtown sidewalk and severed the leg of Sian Green, the DA’s office issued a short statement, but the only insight into the prosecutors’ reasoning came […]
No Charges From Cy Vance for Cab Driver Who Maimed Tourist Sian Green
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The cab driver who hit a cyclist and drove onto a Midtown sidewalk, severing the leg of British tourist Sian Green, will not be charged with a crime by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance. Here is a statement from Joan Vollero, Vance’s deputy communications director, released to the media today: “Following a thorough, two-month-long investigation by […]
Man Hit by Two Drivers Was Third Fatality in 109th Precinct in Two Months
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A man was struck and killed by two motorists yesterday in a Queens precinct where drivers have killed at least two other people since late September. Brian Nowell, 47, was crossing 14th Avenue at 129th Street in College Point at around 6:45 a.m. Tuesday when he was hit by a westbound driver in a Toyota […]
WNYC: Most City Streets Are Currently Eligible for 20 MPH Speed Limit
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WNYC has put together a map showing that the majority of streets in New York City are close to a school — meaning that, according to state law, the speed limit on those streets can be lowered to 20 miles per hour without Albany’s approval: NYC DOT told the City Council transportation committee last month that state […]
NYPD Issues Careless Driving Summons for Death of Bronx Senior
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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. Reports said Maria Montalvo was in […]
Senior Critically Injured by Driver on Hylan Boulevard Last Night
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A 79-year-old man was critically injured by a motorist in Staten Island last night, on a day when three pedestrians were killed by New York City drivers. The victim was crossing Hylan Boulevard at Bay Street when he was struck by the driver of a 2012 Acura, who was northbound on Hylan, according to NYPD […]
DOT Now Accepting Applications for 2014 Bike to School Program
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DOT launched the second annual Bike to School competition on Tuesday. Five schools will be selected to receive a cycling “starter kit” with curriculum materials, bike racks, assistance identifying safer routes to school, and other support from DOT, Bike New York, and Recycle-a-Bicycle. In addition, the non-profit Safe Streets Fund will give selected schools $500 […]