Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Introduces Ariel's Law

April 9, 2015
For Immediate Release

Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz Introduces Ariel's Law

New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) has introduced legislation to close the loophole in municipal law to protect the public and hold municipalities liable when the employees are negligent in performing their duties causing injury or wrongful death.

Senator Diaz stated: “I hope that my colleagues in the Senate and the Assembly see the importance of this piece of legislation and will join me in doing away with these technicalities that hurt our families and our community.”

On June 4, 2013, Ariel Russo was walking to school with her grandmother, Katia Gutierrez, when they were hit by a car on W. 97th St. near Amsterdam Ave. The unlicensed driver of the vehicle that subsequently killed Ariel and critically injured her grandmother was involved in a high-speed police chase.  

Additionally, a Department of Investigation Report (DOI) indicated that there was a four minute delay by the New York City Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Dispatch Center personnel in processing the request for assistance and dispatching an ambulance to the scene of the accident. According to the DOI report, human error was to blame for the four minute delay.

Senator Diaz's bill establishes liability for damages caused as a result of negligence and misconduct including any unnecessary delay in the provision of emergency services.

Please see the attached copy of the bill and sponsor’s memo.
 
For further information, please contact:
Cathryn Bern-Smith
Policy Director
Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr.
(518) 455-2511