NYC DOT Commissioner "Surprised" DMV Dropped Tickets Against Driver Who Killed Queens Toddler

New York City's normally guarded transportation commissioner had some pointed comments about the DMV's dismissal of tickets against a driver who had killed a three-year old girl.

Polly Trottenberg was asked about the case on the Brian Lehrer Show Monday, and she recalled being at a City Council hearing and seeing a video of the crash. "I was in the room when it was shown and every single person in the room just gasped," she told Brian. "It was a shocking case. I still don't know the details of why these fines were dismissed...but I have to admit I was surprised. When you see the footage, it's heartbreaking and compelling.

"It is shocking footage," Trottenberg said. "It is a grandmother walking her three-year-old grandchild in a crosswalk."

WNYC has reported extensively on the death of Allison Liao, who was killed just over a year ago. Her death was captured on a dashboard video camera operated by another driver. Local authorities declined to prosecute driver Ahmad Abu-Zayedeha, and the Liao family is suing him in civil court.

When asked why the DMV dismissed the tickets against Abu-Zayedeha, the agency responded: "The summonses that were issued by law enforcement to Ahmad Abu-Zayedeha as a result of an accident on October 6, 2013 were for “Failing to Use Due Care” and “Failing to Yield to a Pedestrian.”  If a person is found guilty of those violations, the penalty is a fine of up to $150.00 for each violation.  Mr. Abu-Zayedeha was found not guilty and those tickets were dismissed on July 1, 2014. No criminal charges were brought by the Queens District Attorney as a result of the accident. However, whenever a fatal accident occurs anywhere in the state, the DMV schedules a special safety hearing.  That hearing for Mr. Abu-Zayedeha has been set for January 6.  At that time, a determination will be made if Mr. Abu-Zayedeha has any culpability for the accident on October 6 that would result in any action being taken with regard to his driver license based on the Vehicle and Traffic law. DMV is an administrative agency and has no authority with regard to law enforcement or criminal prosecution.”