Pedestrians Killed in Greenburgh & Peekskill
By Dan Murphy
Westchester automobile drivers are now hereby warned– slow it down! Three recent pedestrian fatalities have occurred in Peekskill and Greenburgh, resulting in walks for safer streets in Peekskill and warnings to drivers to be cautions and careful.
“Last night we received some sad and bad news,” wrote Greenburgh Supervisor Paul Feiner in an email blast to residents Jan 8. “A Greenburgh woman lost her life crossing the Bronx River Parkway at Fisher Lane. This is the sixth pedestrian- related accident in recent months that impacted Greenburgh residents. Pedestrian accidents have been happening on state, county and local roads. We are not the only locality that has experienced pedestrian accidents in recent months. It’s happening all over”
According to the Westchester County Police: “A Greenburgh woman suffered fatal injuries on Jan. 7 when she was struck and killed as she crossed the Bronx River Parkway at Fisher Lane. The deceased is identified as Sandra Dekoubia, 57. She was pronounced dead at the scene by Greenburgh paramedics.
“Westchester County Police responded to the parkway at 6:17 p.m. on a report that a pedestrian had been struck by a Lexus SUV that was traveling southbound in the left lane of travel. No charges were filed against the driver of the vehicle, who remained at the scene. The County Police Accident Investigation Unit continues to investigate the circumstances of the incident.”
Last month another pedestrian was hit by a car while crossing East Hartsdale Avenue in Greenburgh, and on Sept. 15, in the vicinity of Old Kensico Road / Randolph Road, a pedestrian was injured in a hit-and-run accident. On Oct. 18 in the vicinity of Sacred Heart Church on Central Park Avenue, two pedestrians were struck while in the crosswalk, and on Nov. 22 in the vicinity of Fort Hill Road and Underhill Road, a pedestrian struck was while walking in the roadway near the shoulder of the roads sustained serious physical injury and died.
Feiner said the town has budgeted funds for additional sidewalks.
“The 2020 approved budget (capital and operating) includes funding for more sidewalks, crosswalk safety enhancements, digital speed boards, speed humps and other traffic safety measures,” he said. “In recent years the town has taken measures to increase pedestrian safety. We have built or secured funding for 6 miles of new sidewalks around town… We awarded the bid for a new traffic light on Ardsley Road/Sprain Road. We are going to hire a traffic safety consultant to review a proposed Ft. Hill sidewalk (or making Ft. Hill one-way). The Planning Department is working with the Department of Public Works and will be recommending the prioritization of sidewalks that have been identified in the comprehensive plan that should be built.”
Feiner asks: “If you are a motorist – please be on the lookout for pedestrians. And, if you are a pedestrian, please wear bright clothing or reflectors so motorists can see you. Be careful. There are too many accidents occurring all over the town and region.”
In Peekskill, dozens of residents gathered and walked for safer streets last week , remembering William O’Connor, who was fatally hit by a driver two weeks ago on Washington Street, and a community walk for safe streets.
The residents asked the city and county to take immediate steps to redesign unsafe streets like Washington and Hudson streets in Peekskill to make them safer and more accessible for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists and to address reckless driving throughout Peekskill.
The group of approximately 70 residents walked through Peekskill to the site of a prior pedestrian fatality and to another location where a neighbor was recently hit and injured in the crosswalk while walking to the train. Joining in the walk were County Legislators Colin Smith and Catherine Borgia and City Council Members Vanessa Agudelo and Ramon Fernandez.
A community group called Peekskill Walks, organized the event. “Nobody should lose their life by simply walking…. The reality is this wasn’t an isolated incident…just this week a child was hit while walking to school…Places like Peekskill have virtually eliminated all traffic deaths,” said Conor Greene, Peekskill Walks.
