Following the tragic hit-and-run fatalities that occurred in Williamsburg this past Sunday, New York City Councilmember Stephen Levin has sent a letter requesting the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) immediately take steps to prevent future tragedies along Kent Avenue, where the tragic crash occurred.

Councilmember Levin said, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of Raizy and Nathan Glauber and their newborn son. While we keep the victims’ families in our thoughts and prayers, we must also take action to prevent future tragedies from occurring.”

The letter, co-signed by 10 additional members of the Council’s Brooklyn Delegation, requests a traffic study to determine the need for additional traffic controls, especially traffic signals, and traffic calming mechanisms at each intersection. The letter also requests that DOT implement a “no left turn” on Wilson Street.

“Together, we can make our city streets safer for all New Yorkers—pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists—and prevent fatal crashes like the one that claimed the lives of Raizy and Nathan Glauber and their newborn son.”

Please see below to read the full letter.

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March 6, 2013

Janette Sadik-Khan
Commissioner, NYC Dept. of Transportation
55 Water Street, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10041

Dear Commissioner Sadik-Khan,

By now, you have undoubtedly heard about the tragic crash that occurred in Williamsburg early Sunday morning. This fatal hit-and-run claimed the lives of a young couple and, shortly after his premature birth, their newborn baby. Williamsburg and communities throughout New York City are mourning this horrific and unnecessary loss of life. While we keep the victims’ families in our thoughts and prayers, we are also compelled to action. As members of the City Council’s Brooklyn Delegation, we respectfully request that the Department of Transportation immediately take steps to prevent future tragedies along Kent Avenue.

South of Division Avenue, Kent Avenue quickly becomes a dangerous two-way street that encourages speeding. There are currently no traffic signals or stop signs on Kent Avenue between Williamsburg Street West and Clymer Street, a stretch of six blocks. This emboldens reckless drivers, like the one behind the wheel on Sunday morning, to turn this neighborhood street into a raceway. The motorist who caused the crash on Sunday was reportedly driving 60 miles per hour. We request that DOT immediately conduct a traffic study on Kent Avenue, between Williamsburg Street West and Division Avenue, to determine the need for additional traffic controls, especially traffic signals, and traffic calming mechanisms at each intersection.

Furthermore, we request that DOT implement a “no left turn” on Wilson Street in order to prevent drivers from turning onto Kent Avenue, if need be by extending the median on Kent Avenue to prevent such turns. This will ensure that motorists go to Clymer Street, where there is a traffic signal, to make a safe left turn onto Kent instead of taking the risk of turning from Wilson Street.

Together, we can make our city streets safer for all New Yorkers—pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists—and prevent fatal crashes like the one that claimed the lives of Raizy and Nathan Glauber and their newborn son.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter. If you have any questions, please call Council Member Levin’s office at 212-788-7348.

Sincerely,

Stephen Levin
Councilmember, 33rd District

Mathieu Eugene
Councilmember, 40th District

David Greenfield
Councilmember, 44th District

Erik Martin Dilan
Councilmember, 37th District

Vincent Gentile
Councilmember, 43rd District

Lew Fidler
Councilmember, 46th District

Letitia James
Councilmember, 35th District

Diana Reyna
Councilmember, 34th District

Darlene Mealy
Councilmember, 41st District

Albert Vann
Councilmember, 36th District

Michael Nelson
Councilmember, 48th District

(YWN Desk – NYC)