Family of 82-year-old struck by moped join lawmaker to call for higher sentencing guidelines

The family of 82-year-old Efrain Barreto joined state Sen. Iwen Chu to call for the implementation of Efrain's Law, which would raise the minimum charges for injuring or killing a pedestrian.

 

Barreto was struck and killed by 30-year-old Abed Abed, who prosecutors say was operating without a license when he hit Baretto as he entered the crosswalk at 60th Street and Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park.

 

Abed was charged with multiple misdemeanors, including aggravated operation of a motor vehicle without a license in the third degree - something the family says must change.

 

"They had no right, so a stiffer penalty for if you commit a crime, you kill someone, you hurt someone - you’ve got to go to jail because of misdemeanor doesn’t count," said Efrain's daughter Vivian Barreto.

 

They are also calling on the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office to upgrade those charges, which would make it a felony.