Sunday, March 20, 2011

Chinatown Casino Bus Crash

The ultimate loss.

"14 die in tour bus crash on I-95 in NYC; Passengers were returning home after casino visit" by Jim Fitzgerald and Tom Hays, Associated Press / March 13, 2011

HAWTHORNE, N.Y. — The bus had just reached the outskirts of New York City on a journey from the Mohegan Sun casino in Connecticut when the crash happened....

The bus was one of scores that travel daily between Chinatown, in Manhattan, and the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos in northeastern Connecticut.  

Nothing better to do with the money?

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Related: Witnesses in fatal N.Y. crash dispute bus driver’s account

Who was driving anyway?

"Deaths from NYC bus crash rise to 15" by Associated Press / March 15, 2011

NEW YORK — The driver, Ophadell Williams of Brooklyn, 40, survived the crash and was released from St. Barnabas Hospital on Sunday. He has not been charged....

The state Department of Correctional Services said yesterday that Williams was convicted of manslaughter for his role in a 1990 stabbing and served just more than two years. He also served about three years for grand larceny.  

Maybe I should apply to be a bus driver.  My record is clean.

The National Transportation Safety Board and State Police are investigating Saturday’s crash, studying a data recorder and looking into the drivers’ actions before the deadly trip.... 

At City Hall yesterday, two Democratic politicians — Senator Charles Schumer and Representative Nydia Velazquez — asked the NTSB to go beyond its investigation and examine the regulations governing low-cost tour buses in general.

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Related:

Sting takes 14 tour buses in N.Y. off road

Ceremony for 15 killed in NYC casino bus crash

Also see: 4 are shot after a fight on L.A. bus

More from the city:

"Two N.Y. police officers killed on calls" by Associated Press / March 14, 2011

Two New York police officers were killed less than 12 hours apart over the weekend, one after being pushed over a railing and the other after he was shot by another officer following a confrontation with a knife-wielding man, who was also killed....

The officers pursued 21-year-old Anthony Digeronimo into the house nearby where he lived with his parents. Inside, he charged the officers with a knife, Detective Lieutenant Kevin Smith of the Nassau County police, said. The officers drew their weapons and shot and killed him, he said.

Additional officers arrived, including Metropolitan Transportation Authority police from the Long Island Rail Road. For reasons that are unclear, an MTA officer fired a shot at officer Geoffrey Breitkopf, killing him.

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Always nice returning home, isn't it?

"Police spokesman faces DWI charges

ALBANY — Albany police have arrested their own spokesman on charges he was driving while intoxicated in an unmarked police car. Officials say the public information officer, James Miller, was driving without headlights around 9:25 p.m. Friday. He was charged with driving while intoxicated, refusal to submit to a chemical test, and driving without headlights. Miller did not return telephone calls for comment."


Also see: Inquiry finds inadequate response to abuse at N.Y.-run homes

NYC plans $3.3b of waterfront improvements