Local Politicians Demand Accountability After Another Pedestrian Is Killed

This morning, Council Member Mark Treyger was joined by U.S. Congressman Max Rose, and the Office of New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes, to call for justice for the family of victim, Deborah Mutell, of a fatal hit and run crash at the corner of 86th Street and Bay Parkway in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn on January 16, 2020. The local leaders demanded accountability for the reckless driver of a private sanitation company and requested that the motorist come forward for the premature and preventable death of Deborah Mutell.

According to the NYPD, as of January 17, 2020, there are now eight pedestrian deaths reported in New York City. Last year approximately 120 pedestrians were killed on the streets. That is an alarming number and is eight more than in 2018. Local leaders came together this morning to ask the NYPD and the City Administration to find the reckless driver and hold him and the private sanitation company responsible for the fatal hit and run crash. Additionally, Council Member Mark Treyger urged the New York City Business Integrity Commission to immediately revoke the company’s business license.

In May 2019, three year old Emur Shavkator was killed by a motorist while crossing the intersection of Bay 25th Street near Benson Avenue a few blocks away from the location where pedestrian Deborah Mutell was struck and killed by a private sanitation truck. NYPD data reports that 27 pedestrians in Southern Brooklyn were killed by motorists in 2019.

 “We shouldn’t have to hold calls for action for hit & run victims. We should have better designed streets for our residents and a higher level of urgency by the NYPD, City Administration, and Department of Transportation to eliminate traffic crashes and prevent fatalities. An innocent life was taken away crossing the street. Justice must be served and the reckless driver and company must come forward,” said NYC Council Member Mark Treyger(Coney Island/ Bensonhurst/ Gravesend).

“Another needless and tragic loss of life on the streets of southern Brooklyn. Our community is crying out for safer streets and for reckless, dangerous drivers to finally be held accountable for their actions. We also need to pass the Hit and Run Prevention Act to deter drivers from fleeing the scene of the crime. I am devastated for Deborah Mutell and her family, and for the other New York City pedestrians who have already been killed by traffic violence in the first weeks of 2020,” said Senator Andrew Gounardes.