A 54-year-old Riverdale man has been arrested following the death last year of a 99-year-old female pedestrian, also from Riverdale.

 

 

The spokesperson continued, “EMS responded and transported the aided pedestrian with severe head trauma to St. Barnabas Hospital where she was later pronounced deceased. The operator of the vehicle remained on scene and there is no criminality suspected at this time.”

The deceased was later identified as Bernice Schwartz, 99, of Riverdale. An investigation into the collision by the NYPD Highway Collision Investigation Squad followed.

 

On April 26, this year, pursuant to what was described by police as an ongoing investigation, they said Brian Spira, 54, of Henry Hudson Parkway in Riverdale was arrested in connection with the incident. Spira was charged with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care.

 

With collision investigations, the NYPD handles all criminal aspects of the investigations, while NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) reviews the street design at the locations of such incidents.

 

According to NYPD collated City traffic collision data, in June 2022, 29 collisions were reported in the 50th precinct, where the accident occurred, compared to 118 in the 47th precinct during the same month.

 

During March 2023, according to the latest available NYPD motor collision data, 927 motor vehicle collisions took place at various intersections across The Bronx.

 

As recently reported, Mario Rosario was sentenced on Thursday, April 20, by Bronx Supreme Court Justice Linda Poust-Lopez to five years’ probation and 500 hours of community service for his plea to criminally negligent homicide in the death of his son, 4-year-old “Mjay” Mario, as the two rode on a scooter and crashed into a car on August 15, 2022.

 

As reported at the time, police said the child had not been equipped with a helmet at the time of the collision. Representatives for the victim’s family said in part that it was unfortunate that “the killer of 4-year-old Mario “MJAY” Rosario” would be sentenced to probation “after killing his son.”

 

We recently reported on a man racing a motorized bike up and down the side of Williamsbridge Oval Park as kids played nearby.

 

As also previously reported, since Aug. 1, 2022, authorities have commenced issuing tickets for speeding violations caught on speed cameras irrespective of the time of day or night. Speed cameras are in effect 24/7.

 

A person arrested and charged with a crime is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.