UPPER WEST SIDE — City Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal is pushing for a corner of West 97th Street and West End Avenue to be named in honor of a 9-year-old boy who was killed at the intersection in January.
Cooper Stock, whose family lives just doors from the corner where he was killed, died when a taxi driver failed to yield as he crossed the intersection on Friday, Jan. 10, while holding his dad's hand.
The accident, which happened the same night resident Alexander Shear, 73, was killed while trying to cross the street just a block away, deeply shook his community.
Cooper's mother, Dana Lerner, has said in the past that she supports the street renaming, as it would mean her son's death would not be in vain.
"I don’t want my son ever to be forgotten," she said previously. "I want his name out there."
Cooper was remembered as a sunny, young boy who attended the local Calhoun School and adored basketball and his family.
Lerner said she was happy Rosenthal took up the charge for the renaming.
"We are pleased that the name change will be made," she said on Tuesday. "Things are very difficult for all of us."
Rosenthal's recommendation will go before Community Board 7's transportation committee on April 8 and, if approved, move to the full board for a vote before a request is submitted to the Department of Transportation.
Rosenthal has also introduced a bill in the City Council that would temporarily suspend cabdrivers' licenses if they kill or seriously injure a person, and then permanently revoke them if an investigation proved the driver broke the law during the accident.
