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Witnesses Say Speeding National Guard Vehicle Ran Red Light Before Killing Man
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Nov 8, 2012
Modified Nov 8, 2012
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Tim Coleman Jr.
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Nov 8, 2012
Modified Nov 8, 2012
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According to an NYPD spokesman, there have been no charges filed against a National Guardsman who struck and killed 82-year-old Kwok Fu with a military vehicle as he was crossing Canal Street on Monday. The spokesman added that the investigation is ongoing, but several witnesses to the incident have come forward claiming that the military truck ran the red light without warning. "The entire convoy was maintaining speed through all of the red lights," David Trimble told Streetsblog. "It was not immediately clear that this convoy of trucks was not going to stop at the red light. There were no blaring horns, sirens, or anything else. The pedestrian was not jaywalking or trying to beat the convoy. I saw the impact clearly."
On Monday, witness Tim Coleman told us that the trucks were traveling westbound in a convoy on Canal Street. Other witnesses told the Daily News that the trucks were speeding and appeared to be disregarding traffic signals. A spokesman for the National Guard told a reporter for the Times that the convoy was "conducting a resupply mission when this unfortunate accident occurred." And a Time reporter was told by one of the guardsman, "He just ran out in front of the truck. Nobody looks left or right before crossing the street here."
Attorney Steve Vaccaro explained to Streetsblog that the vehicles may be deemed as an "authorized emergency vehicle" engaged in an "emergency operation," but those vehicles are only allowed to drive through red lights "after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation."
Tagged
AIS
canal street
hurricane sandy
national guard
pedestrian fatality
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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