Statement From Families For Safe Streets in Response to Fatal Crash that Killed On-Duty NYPD Officer Anastasios Tsakos

New York City - On Tuesday morning, April 27, Officer Anastasios Tsakos, a 14-year veteran of the NYPD, was killed by a reckless driver while responding to the scene of a deadly crash on the Long Island Expressway. While diverting traffic off of the highway, a motorist driving under the influence and with an expired license struck and killed Officer Tsakos.

Statement from Rita Barravecchio, Families for Safe Streets Steering Committee Member and aunt of Madeline Sershen, killed at age 17 by a reckless driver while crossing the street in Whitestone, Queens:

“Our hearts ache for the Tsakos family, who are experiencing a tragedy we know all too well. Nobody should die from traffic violence on our streets, including hardworking NYPD officers, many of whom are members of my extended family, who focus on keeping fellow New Yorkers safe.”

“We agree with Commissioner Shea that Officer Tsakos’ death was ‘senseless and completely avoidable.’  We know all-too-well how deadly crashes can be prevented. That is why we are working to pass the Crash Victim Rights & Safety Act this year in Albany, of which one key plank would lower the BAC limit for a DWI. Doing so will send a stronger message that driving under the influence, at any level, is deadly. If this policy were enacted nationwide, it could save an estimated 1,790 lives annually.”

“Speeding, reckless driving, and hit-and-runs are on the rise and New York City is headed towards one of, if not the most, deadly years for pedestrians since Vision Zero began. As traffic violence is rising, our membership, tragically, is growing. We need City Hall and Albany to act now to prevent further deaths on our streets, and the endless grief of losing a loved one to a preventable crash.” 

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