Police today arrested 44yr old Dorothy Bruns of Staten Island, the driver who, back on March 5th, ran down and killed 1yr old Joshua Lew and 4yr old Abigail Blumenstein as they crossed 9th Street at 5th Avenue with their moms in Brooklyn. Dorothy Bruns has been charged with two counts of Manslaughter, two counts of Criminally Negligent Homicide, two counts of Reckless Endangerment, three counts of Assault, Reckless Driving and Disobey Traffic Device for running the red light at the intersection before plowing into both families and a fifth male pedestrian.
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday called for tougher state laws to get dangerous drivers off the streets of New York City. The call comes after 1yr old Joshua Lew and 4yr old Abigail Blumenstein were killed on 9th Street at 5th Avenue in Brooklyn back on March 5th, 2018. If the Mayor gets his way, drivers would see an expansion of the speed camera enforcement program, progressively higher fines and registration revocation for the worst drivers. Mayor de Blasio also wants doctors to notify the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles of medical incidents that cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle.
“In the wrong hands, a car can be a deadly weapon. We are fighting on every front to make our streets safer, but we need Albany’s help to keep dangerous drivers off the road, before we lose another life,” said the Mayor.
Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill is seen here at a press conference on Tuesday January 30, 2018. (Credit: Theodore Parisienne)
“The NYPD continues to make New York City streets safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers, resulting in the fewest traffic fatalities ever last year,” said Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill. “This proposed legislation would provide us with additional tools to enhance safety, enforce the law, and keep dangerous drivers off the street.”
“After last week’s tragedy in Park Slope, we must act to prevent future tragedies – whether via legislation, street redesign or enforcement.” said NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. The 44yr old driver of the white Volvo involved in this deadly crash has since had her Driver License suspended but has not been charged, as the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad continues their Investigation.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill are seen here at a press conference on Tuesday January 30, 2018. (Credit: Theodore Parisienne)
The 44yr old driver who caused the deaths of 1yr old Joshua Lew and 4yr old Abigail Blumenstein is not facing charges at this time, according to Police sources. The driver was transported from the scene to a hospital where she remains hospitalized.
According to Police sources, the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is currently working with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend her Driver License, pending a complete Medical Review.
Police said the Investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing.
Mayor Bill de Blasio, accompanied by his wife Chirlane McCray, were spotted in Park Slope just one block away from where 1yr old Joshua Lew and 4yr old Abigail Blumenstein were struck and killed by a 44yr old woman driving a white Volvo on 9th Street at 5th Avenue in Brooklyn.
Mayor de Blasio first had breakfast with his wife inside of the Colson Patisserie before heading to the gym across the street, where he spoke with a group of protesters before proceeding to his workout.
The Protesters, including Paul Steely White from the group Transportation Alternatives, voiced their concerns for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists and pressed the Mayor for meaningful solutions.