Senator Golden Calls on the Assembly to Take the Brakes Off of Hit and Run Bill

Albany- State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), in response to a tragic hit and run last evening on the streets of his Brooklyn district, is calling for the State Assembly to pass S2918/A3350, which would increase the penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident without stopping and/or reporting it from a Class A Misdemeanor to a Class E Felony.

Last evening, an hit and run happened in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Senator Golden’s district, that claimed the life of a Brooklyn man. It was just yesterday afternoon that the New York State Senate approved S. 2918, introduced by Senator Marty Golden.

This legislation would also increase penalties from a Class E Felony to a Class D Felony for repeat offenders and hit and run drivers who injure others. Drivers who flee from the scene of an accident where someone was killed would face Class C Felony charges under the proposed law.

Senator Marty Golden stated, “On the day the State Senate approved legislation to toughen the penalties against those who leave the scene of an accident, another life was lost at the hands of a hit and run driver in my district. It is time that New York State gets serious about making sure that reckless drivers, who take innocent lives and destroy families, face the strictest penalties.”

Golden continued,“Each day that the New York State Assembly fails to act on this legislation, is another day where New Yorkers all across this State are walking, jogging, and riding their bikes in danger. I urge New Yorkers to contact their Assembly representative and ask them to make this the year that the Empire State stands up against hit and runs."

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Amjad Barakat and I trust that the New York City Police Department will conduct a full investigation of this accident,” concluded Golden.

This legislation was passed by the State Senate last year but failed in the State Assembly. Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Brooklyn) is the Assembly sponsor.