By Bianca Fortis
A Maspeth street will be co-named to honor a lifelong resident who was killed in a hit-and-run accident in 2011.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed legislation last week that co-names 60th Drive as George Gibbons Jr. Way
The legislation was sponsored by City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village).
“George T. Gibbons’ life will be honored by the city he loved and loved him back,” Crowley said in a statement. “The tragic end to a young and generous life brought the Maspeth community together and helped usher in a legislative movement to strengthen the penalties for leaving the scene of a crime.”
Gibbons, 37, was traveling in a livery cab on a Long Island Expressway service road on the morning of Oct. 15, 2011, when he was struck by Peter Rodriguez, who was driving a vehicle the wrong way on the road. Rodriguez was later sentenced to up to seven years in prison for criminally negligent homicide and leaving the scene of an accident.
Brendan Gibbons, brother of George, said the family had been working to have the street co-named for almost a year. He thanked Crowley as well as the community.
“We’re very happy and honored to have his name on the block that we all grew up on and that my father still lives on,” he said. “My sister and her children will be able to look at it as they live on the block as well.”
Reach reporter Bianca Fortis by email at bfortis@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4546.
