Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Paralyzed Stuy Student Sues Ford, NYC for $300 Million
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 12, 2008
Modified Aug 12, 2008
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
Jen Chung
Published Aug 12, 2008
Modified Aug 12, 2008
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 Daily News reports that the Stuyvesant High School junior who was paralyzed from a van accident in January is suing Ford (the van's manufacturer) and NYC for $300 million.
Valerie Piro and other members of the varsity girls' track team were headed to a meet in New Hampshire. The van, driven by their coach, teacher Erin Taylor, crashed into a median and rolled over. Piro was wearing a seatbelt, but was still ejected from the van; Taylor and another student were seriously injured. It later emerged the trip was not authorized by the high school, though Taylor told her boss and received parental consent.
Piro, now heading into her senior year at Stuyvesant, is confined to a wheelchair. The News writes, "Though Valerie remains optimistic about her recovery, the rehabilitation has been long and expensive - and her injuries could be permanent." Her lawyer said the Ford 13-passenger van was dangerous, that Avis shouldn't have rented the car, and that the Department of Education should have been supervising Taylor.
Tagged
school supervision
stuyvesant high school
van
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 11, 2026 at 1:49 p.m. ET
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
By
Mike Hayes
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
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
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 .