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Postal Worker Apologizes for Fatal Crash that Killed Marilyn Dershowitz

By Irene Plagianos | September 14, 2012 5:29pm

MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT —  The postal driver accused of fleeing the scene after running over Marilyn Dershowitz with his 7-ton truck as she bicycled in Chelsea apologized to her family as he took the witness stand Friday.

“First and most importantly, I want to say to the Dershowitz family that I’m sorry for your loss,” said Ian Clement, 63.

But the soft-spoken Clement, charged with leaving the scene after crushing Dershowitz July 2, 2011, while she rode across 29th street near Ninth Avenue, continued to maintain his innocence as he testified Friday, telling jurors he didn’t know he was involved in an accident.

Prosecutors have claimed Clement, a 28-year veteran of the postal service, ignored screams, stopped traffic and honking horns before driving off.

Clement has admitted to stopping his truck after feeling a “bump” and hearing honking horns, but says he never saw Dershowitz, the sister-in-law of famed attorney Alan Dershowitz, or had any idea she lay dying on the road behind him.

His defense lawyer, John Arlia, has argued that the crash was a tragic accident. He added that Clement, a father of two with a clean record, would likely have never been charged if Dershowitz family hadn't pressured the DA's office to bring charges against him.

Closing arguments in the trial are scheduled for Wednesday.