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Bill would target unlicensed drivers

By Leonica Valentine

A rash of pedestrians fatally struck by unlicensed drivers has prompted the Queens leadership to ban together to pass legislation that would make such an act a felony and result in two to four years of jail time.

An Elmhurst woman was the latest victim, run down by a white Mitsubishi box truck allegedly operated by an unlicensed driver, while she was walking in the intersection of Woodside Avenue and 76th Street, police said.

“These are preventable deaths. Keeping unlicensed drivers off the street will save lives. Even one traffic death is one too many,” said state Assemblyman Francisco Moya (D-Jackson Heights).The driver of the truck, identified as Valentine Gonzalez, 27, was traveling southbound on 76th street when he made a left turn and careened into the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the NYPD. Gonzalez left the scene of the collision saying he felt the crash, but “thought he went over a large piece of ice,” according to the criminal complaint.

A witness chased after Gonzalez on foot and caught up to the vehicle on 73rd Street and 41st Avenue. The witness “pulled the keys out of the ignition” and restrained Gonzalez until police arrived, according to the complaint. Gonzalez was arrestedand charged with leaving the scene of an accident and driving without a license, according to the Queens DA.

“Unfortunately, the law in New York has not caught up with the facts of these situations,” said state Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria), who has written the bill. “Someone who kills someone when driving without a license… the most severe charge they can get is a violation, which is like getting a parking ticket.”

Outraged by the frequency of these types of incidents and the penalties offenders receive, several officials and advocates for safer streets rallied behind Gianaris’ legislative push at a news conference Tuesday in Woodside.

“It’s time that we say give us the keys to your car,” said state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky (D-Flushing), “If you smoke a cigarette, the chances of you getting lung cancer are increased. [It’s] the same way if you’re an unlicensed driver. You have a high risk of hitting somebody, [possibly] injuring or killing them.”

Drivers with revoked and or suspended licenses who have caused a loss of life would get more than a slap on the wrist under the proposed legislation.

“We are taking a minor penalty and saying this is not a minor crime, this is something that has to be dealt with fairly and justly and severely,” said Moya. “There is intent when you know that your license is suspended and get behind the wheel. Those people, they know exactly what they are doing. That is why we want to send a strong message by having strong enforcement to prevent that from happening.”

The measure is gaining ground with a push in Albany from Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth).

“A driver’s license is a privilege not a right,” Stavisky said.