Brooklyn Pedestrian Death Spurs Bill Targeting Repeat Reckless Drivers

COBBLE HILL, NY — Brooklyn electeds are cracking down on repeat reckless drivers after another pedestrian death on the notoriously perilous Atlantic Avenue.

The proposed legislation would install speed-limiting devices on the cars of drivers with multiple violations and license points, Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher announced Tuesday in Cobble Hill.

The restricters would go to drivers with at least four speed camera or red light violations within a year, or 11 points on their license in 18 months, according to a representative of Gounardes' office.

Drivers with over six red light or speed camera violations would also receive speed limiters regardless of the time period.

And the limiting device would restrict cars from driving more than 5 miles per hour over the limit.

"Just as drunk drivers can be required to install vehicle technology ensuring they cannot drive while under the influence of alcohol Gounardes and Gallagher’s bill would require the installation of a speed limiting device ensuring they cannot exceed the speed limit by more than 5 miles per hour," Gounardes' office said.

The announcement comes months after a speeding and suspected impaired driver fatally struck Katherine Harris, 31, at Atlantic Avenue and Clinton Street after running a red light, according to the NYPD. Harris marked the fourth pedestrian death on the block in 10 years, according NYC Crash Mapper.

Erick Taxilaga Trujillo, 27, of Brooklyn, was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving while impaired related to the fatal Cobble Hill crash, police said.

"We simply cannot keep allowing preventable traffic fatalities to happen and we will be increasing the pressure on DOT to make swift changes happen," said City Council Member Lincoln Restler said.

Atlantic Avenue, named as one of the city's Vision Zero target areas, has long been a concern for safe streets advocates and electeds.

In April, electeds and community leaders sent a letter to the Transportation department calling for mid-block traffic lights, raised sidewalks, better lighting and extended curbs at intersections to improve safety on the deadly corridor.

Electeds also called for a redesign to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway entrance and exit ramps on Atlantic Avenue — a city project that has already faced significant community pushback.

"For years, our community has demanded meaningful pedestrian safety and traffic calming efforts to make Atlantic Avenue safe," electeds wrote in the letter.