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According to police and prosecutors, 50-year-old Alexandra Sabine Lewalter Maric, a tourist from Hamburg, Germany, was fatally struck near Bryant Park last week. Her husband, 55, suffered a severe skull fracture and remains in critical condition at Bellevue Hospital.
The driver, Mohammad Abouzaid, 40, of the Bronx, was behind the wheel of a Toyota Sienna minivan that was blocking the intersection at West 40th Street and Fifth Avenue. Authorities say he suddenly reversed into the crosswalk, hitting the couple and a nearby box truck. After the collision, Abouzaid fled the scene, only to be later apprehended and charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. Surveillance footage confirmed his involvement.
Wrongful Death and Catastrophic Injury Claims in New York
When a crash causes both a fatality and catastrophic injuries, the law provides avenues for both accountability and compensation. In addition to criminal prosecution, families may bring civil claims for:
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Wrongful death damages: funeral costs, loss of income, loss of services, and the emotional suffering of surviving family members.
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Personal injury damages: medical expenses, long-term care, lost wages, and pain and suffering for the surviving victim.
These claims help families secure the resources they need to cope with sudden loss and overwhelming medical expenses.
Pedestrian Rights at Crosswalks
New York law is clear: drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Reversing through a crosswalk in Midtown, one of the busiest pedestrian corridors in the city, represents a serious breach of that duty. When drivers disregard pedestrian safety, the law allows families to hold them accountable through both criminal and civil actions.
Seeking Justice After a Pedestrian Hit-and-Run
Tragedies like this show how quickly lives can be shattered by negligence behind the wheel. Families facing both wrongful death and catastrophic injury need strong, experienced representation to navigate the legal process.
At Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf, our New York car accident lawyers have secured some of the largest verdicts and settlements in pedestrian and motor vehicle accident cases. For over a century, we have fought for victims and families whose lives have been changed by reckless drivers. Contact us at +1 212-943-2090 for a \free consulation with a top-rated trial attorney.