From Gothamist [3], Sept. 13:
No Charges For Running Over Schoolkids On Queens Sidewalk
The SUV driver who plowed into five teenagers [4] on a Queens sidewalk yesterday morning has not been charged with any crime nor issued any summonses. This stands in stark contrast to another sidewalk collision yesterday: between a cyclist and Nicole Kidman [5] in Manhattan. The crash in Queens resulted in very serious injuries; in Manhattan, Kidman was knocked down but unscathed. But in Kidman's case the cyclist was swiftly issued three summonses [6].An NYPD spokesman confirmed today that the driver in yesterday's crash, Francis-Aung Lu, had not been charged or issued any summonses, but the investigation is still ongoing. The teens survived the crash with various injuries—it appears Ashley Khan, 13, got the worst of it. DNAinfo reports [7] that Khan suffered a compound fracture to her left leg and a broken pelvis when she was pinned under the SUV. Another girl's back was broken.
"We lifted the car just enough to get the girls out," David Foubister, 40, at truck driver who witnessed the crash,told DNAinfo [7]. "It was a whole community effort. The girls were in shock." Marina Abadir's uncle told the Daily News [8], "They’re not really sure how many bones are fractured in her body,” said Sherif El Gawly, 37, her uncle. "Marina is able to move her arms and legs. She can’t move her neck. She’s wearing a neck brace.”
Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley defended the driver, telling the News, "He hit the gas instead of the brake. This had everything to do with being an accident."
Not to be outdone, the school's principal sent out a memo to parents reminding kids not to listen to headphones when walking around. Here's video of the "accident," which shows none of the teens listening to headphones:
Be sure to click on the link [3] for the chilling video. Remember, this could be you the next time you step out on the sidewalk. More at Mobilizing the Region [6] transportation blog.
See more reasons WHY WE FIGHT [9]