By Josh Williams
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
BATTERY PARK CITY – Community members in Battery Park City are still concerned over pedestrian safety at a dangerous intersection less then a year after an off-duty N.J. policeman struck and killed a woman crossing the West Side Highway.
Marilyn Feng was struck and killed in February at the intersection by off-duty policeman Martin Abreu, who was later charged with DUI. Abreu was driving south on the West Side Highway at 3:40 a.m. when the accident occurred at the intersection of West and Albany St.
“They just recently closed down the overpass for maintenance and I don’t love crossing here with a young kid,” said Spencer Grey, who moved in to the neighborhood three months ago.
According to the NYPD, Abreu had a blood alcohol content of .124 and was charged with vehicular manslaughter. He is currently awaiting trial after posting $75,000 bail.
Feng’s boyfriend Dennis Loffredo was also struck by the Toyota Camry and suffered a severely broken leg as the couple returned to her Battery Park apartment from tango dancing uptown.
The overpass was closed because it was being redesigned and strengthened structurally. It was initially constructed as a temporary solution to pedestrian congestion on the lower West Side after damage from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks led to the closer of several foot bridges.
“I used to take the bridge but that seemed dicey because it was a temporary structure,” said Georgia Schmitt, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1996 and crosses the highway twice a day.
Wiley Norvell, the communication director at Transportation Alternatives, said any accident involving a pedestrian and vehicle moving over 35 mph will likely result in a fatality.
“When drivers enter a tunnel access they gear up and hit speeds of 50-60 mph because they automatically tune out pedestrian traffic,” Norvell said.
Transportation Alternatives works towards developing safe transportation options. Norvell points out that crossing large highways on foot is always a dangerous undertaking.
"The less time spent in the middle of the highway the safer you are," said Norvell "With the timing of lights the elderly really have problems crossing the entire stretch without being caught in the middle."
At the time of the accident the pedestrian bridge was open, but there were numerous complaints about lighting and structural issues. The bridge is being redesigned with a new staircase and will not re-open until mid-October.
“The accident was late at night and they don’t have crossing guards so I walk the extra distance towards the other bridge," said Smitt. "Either way it’s still dangerous.”
