Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Victim Of Teen's Texting Crash Declared Brain Dead
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Sep 21, 2010
Modified Sep 21, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Sep 21, 2010
Modified Sep 21, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Tian Sheng Lin, the 53-year-old deliveryman struck by texting teen Nechama Rothberger as she was driving down Avenue P Sunday night, has been declared brain dead at Kings County Hospital. Rothberger was charged with misdemeanor reckless driving and using a mobile phone while driving, but at her arraignment last night her lawyer said she "didn't hit him intentionally. It was merely an accident." Oh, well that changes everything! Investigators found a half-written outgoing message on her phone.
Rothberger and Lin, who was riding a motorized scooter, were both attempting to make the same left turn when Rothberger struck Lin, apparently too distracted by her phone to notice what was happening. Lin's family is heartbroken over his brain damage, and his 19-year-old daughter said, "My dad did everything for his family. He always took care of us." Rothberger's lawyer says "she's sorry," and plans to send a letter to Lin in the hospital.
Drivers can be fined up to $150 for texting while driving, but the fine can be imposed only if the driver breaks another law while on the phone.
Tagged
brain dead
driving
nechama rothberger
texting
texting while driving
Tian Sheng Lin
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
The first-time Democrat says it’s still “a toss-up race” between her and incumbent GOP Rep. Tom Kean.
By
Mike Hayes
Published Oct 11, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. ET
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
The NYPD said the investigation is continuing and no one had been arrested Saturday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
News
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
The NYPD said the investigation is continuing and no one had been arrested Saturday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Holy civics! NYC schools' own comic books in the spotlight at Comic Con
By
Jessica Gould
What we know about the ICE shooting in NYC
By
Karen Yi
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .