This past Tuesday was an historic and emotional day in our City as the Council voted 49-0 in favor of my new bill – the Justice for Hit-and-Run Victims Act. Under this potentially life-saving piece of legislation we will, for the first time in the City of New York, establish civil penalties of up to $10,000 to those found guilty of fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run collision.
(Photo credit: Bill Alatriste)
I was moved to introduce this bill in response to the death of three people who were killed in my district by drivers who fled the scene of these heinous crimes. Luis Bravo, 19, Kumar Ragunath, 64, and Karen Pheras, 20, all lost their lives because of the unconscionable actions of reckless drivers who showed no concern for the lives of their fellow New Yorkers.
I was honored to be joined by Martha Puruncajas, Luis’ mother, as we announced the passage of my legislation just five days before the one-year anniversary of the death of her young son. Her courage has been an inspiration to me and hundreds of other families who have lost their loved ones to this epidemic. No family should ever have to suffer the same fate.
The civil penalties set forth in this bill will not bring back those who have lost their lives to hit-and-run drivers but they will punish the crass actions of those who have committed these crimes. I will stop at nothing to prevent another mother from feeling the pain of losing her child.
The Justice for Hit-and-Run Victims Act will save lives by deterring those who would even think of fleeing the scene of a collision and leave a fellow New Yorker to die in the street. We will not rest until we achieve Vision Zero. This law brings us one step closer to that day.
I want to thank Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Transportation Committee Chair Ydanis Rodriguez, my colleagues and most importantly the transportation advocates and families who helped make this historic day possible. Together we are sending a message to hit-and-run drivers – if you break the law we will track you down and bring you to justice.
Jimmy Van Bramer
Majority Leader
New York City Council
