Bronx News (Bxnews.net): MARCH MADNESS for drivers

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): MARCH MADNESS for drivers: By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, March 27- The warm weather hasn't even begun, but March Madness is underway along the boroug...

MARCH MADNESS for drivers

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 27- The warm weather hasn't even begun, but March Madness is underway along the borough's roadways.

A head-on crash outside a firehouse along Webster Avenue has claimed the life of one man and two others are reported to be in critical condition. The fatal crash, which took place on the first day of spring, was the third vehicular death along Bronx roads in just 19 days.

Police were called to Webster Avenue and E. 187 Street in the Fordham Heights section, at just after 4 p.m., on March 20. After a preliminary investigation police say a black 1993 Honda was traveling north on Webster Avenue, when it swerved into oncoming traffic and struck a 2010 Nissan Altima that was traveling southbound.

The horrific collision took place outside the quarters of the FDNY's  Engine 48 / Ladder 56. Members were at the carnage in seconds, but lost precious time as at least three of the victims were heavenly encased in the twisted metal.

Police say the 23-year-old driver of the Honda was declared dead on arrival at St. Barnabas Hospital. The name of the victim was not released pending notification of next of kin.

Two passengers pulled from the Honda were also rushed to St. Barnabas, where one remains in critical condition and the other is classified as stable.

The driver and passenger of the Nissan were also reported at St. Barnabas and also in stable condition.

The busy block surrounded by residential buildings, retail shops and schools is no stranger to roadway death, back in August, 2008 traffic agent Donnette Sanz, 33, who was seven-months pregnant, was mowed-down by an out-of-control van at the opposite end of the block on E. 188 Street.

The entire city took notice as several dozen residents and passersby would lift the 3-ton van off of Sanz. Sadly, Sanz would hang on just long enough to give birth and the premature child survived just a few days.

Van driver Walter Walker, 72, had 20 suspensions on his driver's license at the time of the crash. He was convicted after a jury trial and on October 28, 2010 Walker was convicted of two counts of Criminally Negligent Homicide. Walker was later sentenced to four-year's in jail, the maximum sentence allowed by law.

The fatal crash outside of Engine 48 / Ladder 56 is not the first fatal crash this month on the street's of the Bronx-- but the third in less than three weeks.

On March 2, grandfather Nelson Martinez, 61, was mowed-down along the Grand Concourse at Field Place by a hit-and-run driver. Martinez remained in intensive care at St. Barnabas Hospital until he succumbed to his injuries on March 17.

Police continue to look for the light or gray-colored sedan that fled southbound along the Concourse.

Ironically on March 17, 63-year-old nail salon worker and Bedford Park resident Sook-Ja Kim was hit from behind as she walked along a pedestrian path along E. Mosholu Parkway.

Witnesses stated that the out-of-control vehicle first drove into on-coming traffic before attempting to cross over a large patch of grass separating the two roadways, before striking Kim from behind. Kim later died at St. Barnabas.

After a preliminary investigation by the NYPD's Accident Investigation Squad, the unidentified driver apparently had some type of medical issue at the time of the crash and no charges have been filed, but the investigation is still on-going.

As this reporter was traveling north on Webster to the crash outside Engine 48 / Ladder 56, a police car from the 48th Precinct was following a man on an illegal dirt-bike. The biker and patrol car now in pursuit, sped past everyone waiting for the light and dangerously turned into oncoming traffic at E. Tremont Avenue.

The brazen motorcyclist and at least three NYPD vehicles played a deadly cat-and-mouse game up E. Tremont and back down Carter Avenue. It's not known if the NYPD ever caught the reckless biker, but it's safe to say the biker was unaware of the traffic death that had just taken place a half-mile up the road.

Norwood resident Marcelino Hernandez, who witnessed the crash that claimed Kim's life, reflected from that scene, saying, "These driver's today just don't respect life."

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Biker Battles

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Biker Battles: Cops involved in another controversial chase of dirt biker rider leaving 1 injured     By David Greene BRONX, NEW YORK, March 27- ...

Biker Battles

Cops involved in another controversial chase of dirt biker rider leaving 1 injured

 

 

By David Greene

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 27- An elderly man crossing the street and an illegal dirt bike rider are recovering, after witnesses say an NYPD cruiser caused the crash.

According to police, the 77-year-old pedestrian was crossing Boston Road at Thwaites Place in the Bronxwood section at just before 5 p.m., on March 24, when he was struck by a still-unidentified 20-year-old illegal dirt bike rider, traveling southbound on Boston Road.

 

Witnesses and police have stated that the African-American dirt bike rider suffered a serious head injury and was bleeding from his noise. The elderly white male was reported to be face down in the roadway, the bike reportedly slammed into his legs.

On witnesses recalled, "He hit the old man that was crossing and the guy on the motorcycle was driving against the light. The guy on the motorcycle was with a group of more than 20."

 

Some witnesses have estimated the caravan of illegal dirt bikes, three-wheelers and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) was as many as 50, as the victim was crossing with the light, when he was rundown outside of the Steven Restaurant.

 

"The police were after them," the witness claimed, when the police cruiser from the 49th Precinct allegedly bumped the bike just before the intersection, causing the chain reaction crash.

 

One employee at the C-Town across the street, offered, “Customers were saying that the cop car hit the motorcycle and it crashed into the man.”

 

The police department has so far discounted claims that a police cruiser caused the crash and have stated the cruiser was making a U-turn when the motorcyclist lost control.

 

The officer behind the wheel of the police vehicle closest to the dirt bike was briefly questioned by a detective and a Highway Patrol investigator.

Both victims were reported at Jacobi Hospital in serious, but stable condition. One published report stated the bike rider was in police custody, and so far has not been charged.

Another witness said of the group of riders, "They saw their friend get hit and was on the floor, but they kept going."

 

The accident comes as biker Alberto Gonzalez is currently on trial regarding a similar incident back on August 11, in Hunts Point, where he faces resisting arrest and reckless endangerment charges.

 

Video released on March 24, clearly shows an NYPD cruiser from the 41st Precinct, striking the bike. That crash claimed the life of building superintendent Eddie Fernandez, 28, who was thrown into a pole.

 

On October 27, Ronald Herrera, 20, died and a passenger was seriously injured during a chase with a police cruiser along Walton Avenue.

 

Once again, the NYPD stated that the cruiser did not cause the crash, witnesses say the cruiser bumped the dirt bike.

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronxites have high hopes for new Pope

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Bronxites have high hopes for new Pope: Early into his Papacy, Pope Francis is already setting an exciting tone and direction for the Catholic Church. Officials from Fordham Un...

Bronxites have high hopes for new Pope

Early into his Papacy, Pope Francis is already setting an exciting tone and direction for the Catholic Church. Officials from Fordham University weighed in on his historic election and what’s to come.

"It has been a truly historic day for the Society of Jesus as we learned that our brother, Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio, was selected to lead the Catholic Church as Pope Francis I,” said Rev. Gregory F. Lucey, S.J. President, AJCU. “As Jesuits, we emphasize social justice in our ministry, and we are gratified to have a leader who will continue to live out this mission on a global stage. We pray that the Pope's grounding in Ignatian spirituality will guide him as he carries out this extraordinary calling to lead the Church of the 21st century."

 

“With the 266^th successor to St. Peter now in place in Rome, Pope Francis has already stirred the minds of hearts of people throughout the world,” said Msgr. Joseph G. Quinn, J.D., J.C.L. Vice President, University Mission and Ministry Fordham University. “He is seen as a genuinely humble and holy man of God very much grounded in his spiritual formation and training as a Jesuit. We can only hope and pray that he remains the needed prophetic voice within our midst calling us all to truly live our lives in ever greater imitation of Christ.”

 

Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. issued the following statement in reaction to the selection of Pope Francis I:

 

“This is an incredible moment. The Catholic Church has selected Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires to serve as its new pope, Pope Francis I, thus bringing the world the first ever pope of Latin-American heritage.

 

“The Catholic Church plays an important role in the social and civic fabric of the Bronx and New York City, and today I congratulate the borough’s, and in fact the world’s, Catholic community on this history-making decision.”

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham in Sweet Sixteen

Bronx News (Bxnews.net): Fordham in Sweet Sixteen: Rams Score First Post-Season Victory Since 1980 (Photo by Gary Quintal) By Howard Goldin BRONX, NY, March 25, 2013- The slogan “Tradition ...