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Home : News : News : Mid Queens
Idling bill prompted by teen’s death becomes law
by Michael Lanza, Assistant Editor
11/19/2009
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<B>Mayor Mike Bloomberg signs a new law raising fines for unattended idling. </B>PHOTO BY WILLIAM ALATRISTE
Mayor Mike Bloomberg signs a new law raising fines for unattended idling. PHOTO BY WILLIAM ALATRISTE
   Mayor Mike Bloomberg signed a new law on Tuesday authorizing increased fines for drivers leaving cars idling while unattended.
   Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), who introduced the measure in March, called for the tougher penalties in response to the tragic death of Middle Village resident Robert Ogle, 16, and his friend, Alex Paul, 20 — who were killed in February when a man allegedly stole an idling vehicle and hit the young men with it as he fled. She also cited the deaths of two children killed in Chinatown last January, when a van plowed into a group of pedestrians after its driver exited the idling vehicle.

   “Leaving your car running and unattended seems like a minor, careless mistake but all New Yorkers must understand that it is irresponsible, dangerous and potentially deadly,” Crowley said.“The current fine for leaving your car ignition on and unattended is five dollars. With this new law, the fine will be raised to $250 to deter anyone from being careless with their vehicles.”
   The councilwoman was joined by Brendan and Mei Ogle, Robert’s parents, as the City Council heard testimony in favor of the bill last month.
   “I know too well that an unattended and running car can become a deadly weapon. It is necessary to increase the awareness and penalties for people who are careless with their personal property because money talks,” Brendan Ogle said. “If people are aware that it costs $250, then they won’t leave their cars running and unattended. This is necessary legislation that will avoid big problems for a lot of people because of someone else’s carelessness.”
   Ogle’s death made headlines earlier this year after police alleged that the teen’s killer was a drunken car thief.
   Kenneth Guyear, 27, of Middle Village, was arrested shortly after the hit and run and charged with a laundry list of criminal complaints, including assault, vehicular manslaughter, grand larceny, criminally negligent homicide and driving while intoxicated.
   Prosecutors said Guyear stole a silver Kia — left idling near Woodhaven Boulevard and Alderton Street in Rego Park — and sped away through Middle Village, eventually striking the teen and his friend.
   Guyear was later stopped by police in the then-mangled car near Woodhaven Boulevard and Dry Harbor Road, where he allegedly lashed out at the officers with a drunken rant before admitting to drinking, taking pills, stealing the car and hitting both victims.
   “I’ve been to Rikers a thousand times. I’m not giving you any more info.I’m homeless.I live on the street.I have a license but it’s revoked.I had three glasses of vodka.The car smells like alcohol but what did I do?” he said, according to police records. “You guys don’t know what you’re doing.You have nothing on me.You’re just locking me up for DWI?I’m gonna have your job.For a black cop you just follow what the white guy tells you to do.”
   Guyear allegedly blew .126 on a Breathalyzer before he was taken into custody by police.
   “I stole the car that was parked on the street,” he later admitted, according to court documents. “I drove the car and saw the pedestrians but I didn’tthink I hit anybody.I kept driving and then stopped the car and looked for blood on the car. I kept driving and the police stopped me.”
   Guyear, who pleaded not guilty, faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
   Crowley said she will begin working on an awareness campaign to inform drivers of potential penalties before the law goes into effect next year.



©Queens Chronicle 2010


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