06/01/2011 // New York City, New York, USA // New York City Accident Lawyer // Jonathan C. Reiter

New York City, NY – (New York injury lawyer news) On Saturday, May 07, 2011, a tour bus driver struck and killed a pedestrian in midtown Manhattan, as reported by New York Daily News. According to reports received by New York City accident lawyer, Jonathan C Reiter, Steve Drappel, 57, of West Palm Beach, Florida, was drinking vodka while driving the tour bus.

The bus was operated by L&L Travel, of Chinatown, but belonged to TravelLynx, of Cocoa, Florida, as reported by New York injury attorney Jonathan C Reiter. Also according to the New York injury attorney, Drappel was employed by the Florida-based firm, TravelLynx.

According to reports received by New York injury attorney Jonathan C Reiter, the driver concealed his vodka in a silver-colored travel mug as he drove the tour bus through Manhattan. As Drappel drove through the city, he took a turn onto Ninth Ave. at W. 47th St., whereupon he struck 29-year-old Timothy White. The bus dragged White for nearly 30 feet under its rear wheels before the driver was flagged down, as reported by New York City accident lawyer Jonathan C Reiter.

Timothy White, of Philadelphia, was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he later died of massive injuries.

New York injury attorney Jonathan C Reiter reports Drappel failed a Breathalyzer test, with a BAC of .08 – twice the legal limit for commercial drivers. He has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and DWI.

Upon requests for comment, a TravelLynx rep only stated, “We are running an investigation now, so I really cannot comment,” according to reports received by New York City accident lawyer, Jonathan C Reiter.

New York injury attorney Jonathan C Reiter also reports that City Council transportation committee chairman James Vacca said the accident proved the city needs better regulation.

“I do not think the federal government has lived up to its oversight responsibility,” reported Vacca. “We have to get some type of city control.”

New York injury attorney Jonathan C Reiter reports that, according to the New York Department of Health, Manhattan had the highest rate of pedestrian deaths per square mile than any other borough. According to a Department of Health report, the borough has the highest number of fatalities per square mile, with nine out of 12 community boards reporting between 7.5 – 14.9 pedestrian deaths per square mile, from 2005 through 2009. The report was released in November, 2010. The report also stated two-thirds of the fatalities occurred during or after accidents that occurred at intersections.

*Leading New York City accident lawyer Jonathan C Reiter states if you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. Located in the Empire State Building, with more than thirty years of experience litigating the multifaceted claims of vehicular accident victims and their families, contacting New York injury lawyer Jonathan Reiter with regard to your particular personal injury or wrongful death case may help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

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