Anti-Terror Act Named After New Milford's Darren Drake Announced

NEW MILFORD, NJ — Rep. Josh Gottheimer plans to introduce legislation named after a borough terror attack victim designed to safeguard against terrorists or potential terrorists from carrying out vehicle-based attacks.

Darren Drake, 32, and several others were killed when Sayfullo Saipov allegedly drove a van rented at a Passaic County Home Depot store down a bike path on the West Side Highway in New York City Oct. 31.

Drake, former president of the New Milford Board of Education, was a project manager for Moody's and often rode his bike on the path. He graduated from New Milford High School in 2003.

The Darren Drake Act would require car dealers and rental agencies to immediately alert federal counterterrorism agencies if a known or potentially dangerous terror suspect acquires a vehicle.

The legislation would require the business to provide authorities with the person's name, home address, driver's license number and the vehicle's registration, make, model and license plate. Information would be shared with the FBI and the National Counterterrorism Center.

The FBI would notify and coordinate with the Joint Terrorism Task Force if such a person rented a vehicle.

The plan is similar to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checking passenger information against the "No Fly List."

"Darren’s life was tragically cut short by a hate-filled terrorist, who like many attackers, was too easily able to acquire and weaponize a truck to wreak havoc on innocent civilians," Gottheimer said at an press conference where he announced the legislation with Drake's family. "As terrorists continue to use vans, cars, pickups and other low-cost, high-impact, '21st century weapons of terror,' our law enforcement must have the tools and authorities they need to combat these growing threats."

Saipov, who lived in Paterson with his wife and kids when the attack occurred, showed no remorse for the killing spree, according to the criminal complaint brought against him, Patch previously reported. He told investigators "he felt good about what he had done." He decided to carry out the attack after watching ISIS videos — including one of a beheading — on his cell phone. Investigators recovered around 90 videos from his cell phone.

Prosecutors say that he had started planning the attack more than a year ago and that he decided to use a truck so he could cause "maximum damage against civilians."

Gottheimer also announced that Drake's father Jimmy will be his guest at President Donald Trump's State of the Union Address Tuesday.

"In the face of unspeakable tragedy, Jimmy has carried himself with dignity, bravery and class," Gottheimer said. "All of us have read countless stories about how honest, kind, and talented Darren was."

Related: Dad Of New Milford Terror Victim To Attend State Of The Union
Related: NYC Terror Latest: Attacker Followed ISIS Instructions, NYPD Says
Related: 'Good Man With A Huge Heart': Friends Remember NYC Terror Victim
Related: New Milford Terror Victim Mourned At Funeral

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Photo: James and Barbara Drake, center and left, along with Rep. Josh Gottheimer at a press conference Monday where Gottheimer announced the Darren Drake Combatting 21st Century Weapons of Terror Act. Courtesy of Congressman Gottheimer Office