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Seizure Cabbie Admits He Caused 2006 Accident
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 29, 2010
Modified Mar 30, 2010
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 29, 2010
Modified Mar 30, 2010
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The cabbie who denied his culpability in a West Side Highway car accident nearly four years ago that caused the death of one woman and injuries to three others admitted today that it was his fault. Hassan Afzal, 25, revealed he had twice lied on motor vehicle licensing documents by not admitting he suffered from seizures, and he had stopped taking his seizure medication weeks before the accident. Afzal will not serve any jail time with his plea deal, despite his admittance of guilt, and instead will receive five years probation.
The accident took place in June 2006, as Afzal was speeding up the West Side Highway with four female passengers in tow, including Danielle Ricco, 21, who was thrown through the front seat window and crushed by another car after Afzal became unconscious. In the time since the accident, Afzal has been adamant about denying that the accident was caused by a seizure, blaming it on bad brakes, among other things.
Afzal had been scheduled to go to trial today to fight a criminally negligent homicide charge and assault charges for each of the three injured women. Afzal had only been driving a cab for five weeks prior to the accident.
Tagged
cab
death
hassan afzal
trial
west side highway
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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