Dad Of New Milford Terror Victim To Attend State Of The Union

NEW MILFORD, NJ — The father of a borough terror attack victim will attend President Donald Trump's State Of The Union address Tuesday.

Jimmy Drake will attend the speech as a guest of Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). Drake's son Darren, 32, was 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.

The younger Drake was a project manager for Moody's and often rode his bike on the path. He graduated from New Milford High School in 2003.

"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. I wish that I could have had the honor to meet him."

Jimmy Drake and his wife Barbara were with Gottheimer Monday when the first-term congressman announced he was introducing the Darren Drake Act.

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

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Photo: Darren Drake/Patch file photo, candle photo via Shutterstock