Rockland County, NY – One day after the tragic death of a Monsey toddler who died after being hit by a taxi, the Ramapo Police Department has announced the that the operator of the vehicle did not have a valid driver’s license.
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As previously reported on VIN News (http://bit.ly/2hDuwlj), the child was struck yesterday when a car service came to pick up passengers at the Johanna Lane home where he lived.
The toddler, who died shortly thereafter at Good Samaritan Hospital, has been identified as 15 month old Ephraim Szydlow.
Police said that 41 year old Jorge Garrangui-Castillo of Monsey did not see the toddler, who was sitting next to the mailbox at the end of the driveway at 3 Johanna Lane, as he backed out of the driveway in his 2015 Toyota Prius. The street is a quiet cul de sac on a block that stretches only two blocks long and sees little traffic.
Garrangui-Castillo was working for American Latina Car Service of Spring Valley and had two passengers in his car at the time of the fatal accident, neither of whom was injured.. No one at America Latina was immediately available to comment on the matter.
Police have ruled out drugs and alcohol as contributing factors in the accident, but have said that Garrangi-Castillo will be ticketed for unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Garrangi-Castillo may also be receiving additional tickets as the police investigation continues.
Police are investigating whether or not Ephraim, an only child, was being supervised by any adults at the time of the accident, reported The Journal News (http://lohud.us/2fmI5Vu).
Ramapo Police Captain Brad Wiedel said that while for now the department will let the parents grieve their loss, the case may ultimately be referred to Rockland County’s child protective services department.
Also being investigated is the owner of the 2015 Prius, Angel Garrangui. Wiedel said that at this time he does now know if the owner of the car and the driver are related, or how Garrangui-Castillo, an unlicensed driver, ended up driving the car.
It is unknown whether or not the fact that hybrid vehicles like the Prius make little or no noise at low speeds contributed to the fatal accident.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency, hybrid and electric vehicles are responsible for 2,400 pedestrian injuries each year, because their engines are inaudible when operating in electric mode, failing to warn those nearby of their presence, A new federal safety standard will require all four-wheeled hybrid and electric cars weighing under 10,000 pounds to produce an audible noise at speeds up to 19 miles per hour by September 2019.
BD”E.
I wonder if unlicensed Jorge was in the U.S. legally.
The noise of the vehicle would or wouldn’t make make no difference to a 15 month old. A 15 month old is a baby that does not know how to protect itself at all. The bottom line is a 15 month old needs to be watched at all times. The moments they’re not can be fatal Gd forbid. The family should no no more pain.
Nebech, so very sad, BD”E !!!
Why not make a law that cars make the ‘ding, ding, ding” sound that commercial trucks do when they back up?