New York City Personal Injury Lawyer - Automobile Accidents

Driver Held on $1 Million Bail as Three Boys Remain Hospitalized in Philly

Paul Napoli — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:51:34 GMT

November 28, 2009

Dawn Denise Snell, 42, of the Philadelphia suburb of Lansdowne, is being held in the Delaware County Jail on $1 million cash bail after driving her car into three boys walking home from school in Upper Darby, PA.

Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood of the Upper Darby Police Department said Dawn Snell was speeding east in her Dodge Charger on Marshall Road about 12:10 p.m. Tuesday when she ran a red light, lost control of the car and swerved toward a group of five boys. She struck two boys, then hit a third as her car traveled along the sidewalk before ramming a parked car, the impact pushing it 15 feet, where Snell’s car finally came to rest 500 feet from the first impact. The windshield smashed by the force of the boys’ bodies’ impact.

The victims, seventh-graders Jemel Brunswick, 13, Philmon Beyene, 12, and Tyler Lowery, 12, were waiting to cross the street on their way home after an early release from school for the Thanksgiving holiday when they were run down. Ambulances rushed all three boys to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in critical condition.

Brunswick and Beyene were in "extremely critical" condition, Chitwood said. Doctors performed surgery Tuesday night on Brunswick and Beyene to relieve pressure on their brains. Doctors transferred Brunswick to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania suffering multiple facial fractures, pelvic injuries and a serious wound to one of his lungs. Snell’s car hit Brunswick so hard that he was knocked out of his shoes. Beyene remains in a medically induced coma and on a respirator, treated for a fractured skull, multiple pelvic fractures and a lacerated pancreas. He also had surgery to save his right leg, Chitwood said. Lowery was in stable condition with less severe injuries.

"What the long-term consequences are, I couldn't tell you. They're going to be in the hospital for a long time," Chitwood said. “To knock someone out of their shoes, you have to be traveling at a pretty significant speed.”

Witnesses told police that Snell tried to flee the accident scene after hitting the boys. "Every one of them said there was no doubt she was trying to get away," Chitwood said.

Snell told police that she was rushing to get her daughter to SEPTA’s 69th Street Terminal to catch a train to Norristown. Snell's daughter said she believes something was wrong with the car and her mother was not trying to flee, but Chitwood said there is nothing to indicate a malfunction of the car.

Officials charged Snell Wednesday with aggravated assault, simple assault and a host of motor-vehicle counts including reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Snell remains in the Delaware County Jail on $1 million cash bail while awaiting a preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 30.

"You could have two dead young men before the weekend is over," Chitwood said regarding the high bail.

If you or loved one has been injured or a loved one killed in pedestrian vs. motor vehicle accident, Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one’s wrongful death. Call 1-888-529-4669 today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Elderly Couple Mowed Down on the Way to Church

Paul Napoli — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:47:06 GMT

November 26, 2009

A hit and run driver mowed down an elderly couple crossing the street on their way to a Staten Island church Wednesday night.

Peter S. Sabados, 78, and his wife Lillian Sabados, 77, were on their way to donate canned goods at their church, Our Lady Queen of Peace in New Dorp, when Allmir Lekperic, 26, struck the couple with his white Ford Econoline van and fled the scene.

Rev. Pancrose Kalist, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, said he ran out of the church when he heard there was an accident. He knew immediately the victims were parishioners because the canned goods they were carrying for a special 7:30 p.m. charity mass were scattered in the street.

Kalist gave the couple their last sacraments as they lay waiting for emergency workers to arrive at the scene.

Ambulances transported the elderly couple to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, where Peter Sabados died about 45 minutes after the crash and Lillian Sabados died about 4 a.m. Thursday morning.

Allmir Lekperic is charged with leaving the scene of an accident and driving with a suspended license.

Six hours before the accident occurred, Rev. Kalist and the Principal of the parish school met with Department of Transportation officials to discuss traffic safety options where they suggested installation of a red light camera at the intersection.

If you or loved one has been injured or a loved one killed in pedestrian vs. motor vehicle accident, Napoli Bern Ripka LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one’s wrongful death. Call 1-888-529-4669 today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

2 Teens Killed, 5 Injured in East Coventry Township, PA Crash

Paul Napoli — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:44:35 GMT

November 25, 2009

An accident killed two teens and injured five others Monday evening on Route 724 near Sanatoga Road in East Coventry Township, Chester County.

East Coventry police say a Honda SUV traveling westbound on Route 724 at about 8:45 p.m. and carrying six teenage boys crossed the eastbound lane, went up an embankment, rolled over and hit an oncoming Nissan sedan driven by Latasha Jones, 22, of Pottstown.

Andrew Case, 17, of Pottstown and Michael Cantamaglia, 16, of Barto, both juniors at Pottsgrove High School, were thrown from the SUV during the crash and pronounced dead at the scene.

Ambulances transported SUV passengers Garrett Sterner, 16, of Telford, and three Pottsgrove High School students, Dylan Kunrath, 17, Kyle Hilegas, 15, and the unidentified SUV driver to Reading Hospital.

Police did not release the SUV driver’s identity because of his age.

Latasha Jones, the driver of the Nissan, was transported and treated at Reading Hospital, then released, said a spokesperson.

Pottsgrove High School, which was closed for an in-service, opened Tuesday night with professional counselors to help anyone mourning the students.

If you or loved one has been injured or a loved one killed in an auto accident, Napoli Bern Ripka LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one’s wrongful death. Call 1-888-529-4669 today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Falling Debris Causes 10 Car Pile-Up on Long Island

Paul Napoli — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:49:47 GMT

November 15, 2009

At about 6 p.m. Saturday, a car on the Wantagh State Parkway struck a guardrail of an overpass, causing a concrete barrier to crumble and debris to rain onto the Southern State Parkway below at exit 27 in Wantagh.

Drivers of vehicles on the Southern State Parkway swerved to avoid the falling debris and collided. New York State Trooper Tammy Mickoliger said about ten cars were involved in the incident, in the pile-up or hit by falling debris.

Police say there are no major injuries and expressed relief that the accident could have been much worse as some of the concrete blocks that fell from the Wantagh State Parkway were estimated to weigh over 500 pounds.

Police closed southbound Wantagh State Parkway and westbound Southern State Parkway at exit 27 to traffic while the scene was cleared Saturday night. The westbound Southern State Parkway is expected to remain closed at least a few days until safe for traffic.

Car accidents can cause irreparable property damage and serious, even fatal, injuries. When you are involved in a car accident with another automobile driver, you may have difficulty in getting the situation resolved using your insurance or filing a claim with the other driver's insurance carrier. When insurance companies will not give you the compensation you deserve for your injuries or the damage to your property, it may become necessary to contact a personal injury lawyer who is experienced in handling car accident cases. Visit www.napolibern.com or call 1-888-529-4669 to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Staten Island Teen Struck by Car is in Critical Condition

Paul Napoli — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:47:23 GMT

November 14, 2009

Janine Brawer, 17, a senior at Tottenville High School in Staten Island, is in critical condition after a car struck her as she crossed the street Friday.

According to police, Brawer was crossing Luten Avenue outside of Tottenville High School, at about 11:30 a.m. after early release, when another Tottenville student driving a Nissan Maxima stopped on Luten Avenue to let her cross the street. A third Tottenville student driving a Saturn crashed into the rear of the Nissan and caused it to lurch forward, striking Brawer and pinning her under the car.

Paramedics transported Brawer to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, where she underwent surgery was reported to be in critical condition. The accident is under investigation and police filed no charges at this time.

Luten Avenue, a straight stretch of roadway with no stop signs, sometimes doubles as a drag strip according to neighbors and parents.

Tottenville principal John Tuminaro acknowledged that Luten Avenue is a safety concern. It has a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour, only one crosswalk in front of the school and no stop signs or speed bumps. He said past requests for speed bumps were denied because of buses that use the road to pick up and drop off students.

School safety officers are positioned outside the school during the afternoon dismissal, but Tuminaro said school safety officers were changing command and not on the street at the time of early dismissal, which is considered a “light dismissal,” or a smaller release of upperclassman.

If you, a family member or someone you know, have been the victim of a pedestrian vs. motor vehicle accident, contact us today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to take to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Napoli Bern Ripka LLP are experienced in handling motor vehicle accident cases and can help you negotiate with the insurance carrier or help you to arrange specialized medical care. We can also help you prepare for the possibility of taking your case to court. Call 1-888-529-4669 or visit www.napolibern.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Drunk Driver Charged in PA Crash that Killed Two

Paul Napoli — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:05:45 GMT

November 3, 2009

Harrisburg Police have charged Andrew Denezza, 30, with two counts of homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, one count each of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, driving under the influence and various other traffic violations in the accident that killed two people and injured a third in early October.

Around 2:35 a.m. on October 3, 2009, Andrew Denezza, executive chef at the RockBass Grill in Wormleysburg, was driving home after work when his Honda Accord crossed the median line on the Market Street Bridge and struck a Capital City Taxi Cab head-on. The taxi cab driver, Michael Amissah, 34, of Harrisburg, was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Two passengers in the taxi cab, Kristin Bowser, 28, of Camp Hill, was pronounced dead at the scene and her husband, Christopher Bowser, 31, of Camp Hill, was hospitalized.

Denezza had a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent and he tested positive for marijuana use. According to investigators, he was also texting at the time of the accident.

Denezza was arraigned and released on his recognizance after turning himself in to Harrisburg Police.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

$9.75M Awarded to NJ Turnpike Wreck Widow but Guardrail Safety Questionable

Paul Napoli — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:58:22 GMT

October 29, 2009

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has not repaired a faulty guardrail, say attorneys for Kristin Sweeney who was awarded a $9.75 million dollar settlement in the death of her husband.

Patrick Sweeney died in an April 2006 accident near Teaneck on the New Jersey Turnpike when driver of the limo he was riding in lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail, which pierced the passenger compartment of the vehicle and killed Sweeney.

Joe Orlando, spokesperson for the Turnpike Authority, contends the guardrail involved in the accident was built safely even though it was not built to the exact specifications of the design. It was constructed flush with the curb because of the terrain, but the design called for the guardrail to be six feet further from the roadway. Bruce Nagel and Andrew O'Connor, the attorneys for Kristin Sweeney, argued that her husband would be alive today if the guardrail was built to specification.

J. Fletcher Creamer, the Hackensack company contracted to build the guardrail, paid $4 million on behalf of themselves and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority who accepted the guardrail even though it was not built according to the design plans. Maitra Associates of Somerset, the engineers hired to oversee the plans paid $2.25 million. DM JM Harris, the firm that was the design engineer, paid $600,000. Air Brook Limousine, which was transporting Patrick Sweeney when the limousine crashed into the guardrail, paid $2.9 million.

The New Jersey Turnpike Authority acknowledged no liability and paid no money in the accident settlement. After the accident that killed Sweeney, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority rebuilt the guardrail in the same position as before the accident, still not building to original design specifications. “We believe it was safe before and we believe it is safe now,” he Orlando. “We don’t plan on going out there and changing it.”

If you or loved one has been injured or loved one killed in an auto accident, Napoli Bern Ripka LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the circumstances of your case and institute a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one’s wrongful death. Visit www.NBRLawFirm.com or call 1-888-529-4669 to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Another Off-Duty NYPD Officer Strikes Pedestrian, Refuses Breathalyzer

Paul Napoli — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:01:50 GMT

October 30, 2009

For the second time in just over a month, an off-duty New York Police Department Officer has struck and killed a pedestrian and then refused a Breathalyzer test.

NYPD Detective, Kevin C. Spellman, 42, drove his 2009 Chevrolet Impala southbound on Kingsbridge Avenue, striking an unidentified female pedestrian at West 232nd Street in the Bronx about 6:30 a.m., police said. Paramedics transported the victim to Saint Barnabas Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Sources say Spellman smelled of alcohol, but he refused a breathalyzer test. He was taken into custody at the scene, pending charges. Authorities took blood sample later to conduct a blood alcohol test, but they did not release the results at this time.

Police did not release the identity of the female pedestrian, but neighbors say she is an elderly Vietnamese woman.

Spellman has been with the New York City Police Department since 1988.

New York Police Department Officer Andrew Kelly was indicted on charges of vehicular manslaughter, drunken driving and speeding for the accident in which he ran down a minister's daughter, Vionique Valnord, 32, on a rainy night in Brooklyn on September 27.

New York City has a higher rate of pedestrian/motor vehicle accidents that the rest of the state combined. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles 2007 Summary of Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Accidents, of 15,127 police reported accidents involving a pedestrian in the state of New York, 10,586 or 70% were investigated by the New York City Police Department. Of those investigated by the NYPD, people in 10,445 accidents suffered injuries and 136 were fatal.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Drinking driver with crack pipe leaving 2 foster children dead, 3 hospitalized

Paul Napoli — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:08:46 GMT

October 27, 2009

Two children have died and three others remain hospitalized after Police say, Shelia Bethea, 45, drove a Mazda minivan 60 to 70 miles per hour on Dunkirk Street, crossed the double yellow line and crashed into a Toyota minivan driven by 63-year-old Carl Williams near the intersection of Arcade Avenue.

Bethea was driving six passengers, her sister Genevieve Bethea, 43, and five foster children to an appointment with their foster-care agency in Jamaica when the accident occurred. Bethea failed to secure all the children properly in car seats, the middle row of seats in Bethea's van was missing and at least one of the children was sitting on the floor while riding.

Police said 15-year-old Katherine Willis died at Queens Hospital Center about an hour after the accident and the second victim, a 5-year-old girl identified by sources as Melissa Ehl-Mirra, died at Long Island Jewish Hospital about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday. A 7-year-old girl is in critical condition and two girls, 10 and 11-years-old, and Bethea remain hospitalized with not life-threatening injuries. Carl Williams, the driver of the other minivan, was released after treatment at North Shore University Hospital.

The children involved in the accident are believed to be the foster children of Bethea's mother or sister. The birth families of the foster children have not released any statements at this time.

Police await toxicology results, but sources say Bethea had a blood alcohol content of .03 on a Breathalyzer test and they found a crack pipe in the minivan. Police are charging Bethea with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. She had a DUI arrest in 2003, which then prohibited her from driving 90 days.

If you, your child or loved one has been injured or your child or loved one killed in an auto accident, Napoli Bern Ripka LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one’s wrongful death. Visit www.NBRLawFirm.com or call 1-888-529-4669 to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Two Fire Trucks Collide, 12 Injured

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:51:23 GMT

Twelve firefighters were injured in Brooklynn on Saturday when two fire trucks collided while racing to an emergency scene.

The collision caused Ladder 107 to flip on its side, while Engine 236"s truck was sent careening into a wall on Ashford Street in East New York.

While rescuers worked to free Firefighter Robert Puppa, Ladder 107’s driver, from the rig, the 11 other firefighters were taken to area hospitals with less serious injuries.

Puppa was trapped for about two hours a s crews worked to cut through the steering panel to free him. He was finally pulled through the windshield of the 35-ton truck as onlookers cheered.

Puppa and his commanding officer, Lt. Kevin Washington, were transported to Brookdale Hospital where they were treated for serious leg injuries.

The trucks were on separate streets and collided at the intersection as they made their way to a reported gas leak a block away, according to a source.

The cause of the accident, as well as the accident itself, is under investigation. Weather appears to be one possible factor.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole