Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Intersection Where Teen Was Killed by Car Needs Immediate Fix, Pol Warns

 Renee Thompson, 16, was headed home when the truck hit her, relatives said.
Renee Thompson, 16, was headed home when the truck hit her, relatives said.
View Full Caption
Handout

UPPER EAST SIDE — The hazardous Upper East Side intersection where a Bronx honors student was recently killed by a truck needs "immediate traffic safety improvements" to head off another tragedy, City Councilwoman Jessica Lappin warned Thursday.

The intersection of East 60th Street and Third Avenue has been the site of two dozen car accidents so far this year, most recently with the death of 16-year-old Renee Thompson, Lappin said in a statement, citing NYPD accident data.

Thompson was on her way home from a summer job at Dylan's Candy Bar on July 31 when a tractor-trailer hit her as she was crossing the street.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

In 2010, an elderly pedestrian was hit and killed by a taxi in the same intersection.

"The data clearly shows a pattern of crashes where Renee Thompson died, and the [Department of Transportation] should take immediate action to prevent future tragedies,” Lappin said. "[The] DOT needs to do a comprehensive traffic study at what is obviously a dangerous intersection."

Lappin said the DOT has made successful changes elsewhere in the city, including adding through streets, signal changes and traffic-calming measures.

However, she said, "They need to figure out what will work at East 60th Street and Third Avenue."

The DOT was not immediately available for comment.