Senator Golden and Brooklyn Family Ask for Public’s Help to Solve Hit and Run in the Wake of 17th Anniversary
June 10, 2011
Brooklyn- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn) today joined Michael McLeer and family members, at a press conference, at the corner of 92nd Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway in Brooklyn, asking for the public’s help in an effort to finally resolve the case that led to the death of Donna Blanchard and her daughter Michelle, 17 years ago.
Donna and Michelle were killed at this corner in a hit and run by a driver of a box truck on June 7, 1994. This week, marks the 17th Anniversary of their death. Donna was 43 years old and Michelle was 4 years old at the time of their death. Senator Golden, as a member of the New York City Council, renamed the street corner, Donna and Michelle Blanchard Plaza”, at 92nd Street and Fort Hamilton Parkway in their memory in 2001.
Senator Golden stated, “Today, we remember the lives of Donna and Michelle who were taken from us too soon at this corner 17 years ago. This case remains unsolved and we are asking anyone who may remember anything to contact the New York City Police Department. We continue to seek justice in this case and answer some of the questions that have been on the mind of this family every day since June 7, 1994.”
Michael McLeer, son and brother of Donna and Michelle stated, “My mother and sister were killed 17 years ago, but to the family, it feels like it was 17 seconds ago. Our family was and continues to be devastated by this event, and we continue to try and pick up the pieces of our life. Each day, we hope that we will find out what happened on June, 7, 1994. We have been part of this community and City for many years and continue to ask for help in solving this case.”
Last month, Senator Golden joined Mayor Bloomberg and Assemblywoman Joan Millman, at this corner calling for the passage of S. 3151/A. 1446, that would require large trucks in the five boroughs to have special crossover mirrors to help eliminate blind spots. The legislation has since been approved by the Senate and the Assembly.