Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
No Charges For Cabbie Who Killed 9-Year-Old Cooper Stock
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 22, 2014
Modified May 22, 2014
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 .
via Facebook
By
Christopher Robbins
Published May 22, 2014
Modified May 22, 2014
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
The Manhattan DA will not press charges against the cabbie who fatally struck 9-year-old Cooper Stock on the Upper West Side in January. “They told me there is nothing in the law right now that specifies that he can be charged with any crime,” Stock's mother, Dana Lerner, told Yahoo News of the DA's decision. "The laws in New York state which say you can kill someone and not face any real consequences are appalling, and they need to be changed.”
The cab driver, Koffi Komlani, was given a summons for failure to yield. He has not driven passengers since he hit Stock on January 10 at Riverside Drive and 97th Street, but he still has his license.
The Yahoo News report states that "Under New York law, criminal charges can only be brought if a driver who injures or kills a pedestrian commits two misdemeanors at a time," but this is not true. The "Rule of Two" is merely a guideline prosecutors use to explain why they often do not charge drivers who kill or maim people. There are plenty of instances in which the driver seemingly committed two misdemeanors and the DA's office declines to prosecute, including cab driver Mohammed Himon, who seemingly committed several misdemeanors when he jumped the curb and struck a British tourist in Midtown last August, causing her leg to be amputated.
This is what made yesterday's news of a guilty plea to a manslaughter charge in the fatal Williamsburg hit and run death of Raul De La Cruz so notable.
Nearly two weeks ago, the DOT announced a series of improvements to the neighborhood where Stock was killed. Councilmember Helen Rosenthal introduced "Cooper's Law," which would strip cab drivers of their licenses when they kill or seriously injure pedestrians. The bill is currently in committee.
Tagged
cis
Cooper Stock
cy vance
manhattan da
pedestrian safety
vision zero
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.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
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 .