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Driver Cited After Hitting Pedestrian in Nyack

Orangetown Police: New City woman handed traffic violation

A New City woman is being cited with a traffic violation for failing to yield the right of way in an in which a 74-year-old Upper Nyack woman was struck while crossing South Broadway in Nyack, according to .

Sgt. Robert Ruggiero said a town police accident investigation team concluded that at the time of , Beverly Motto of Upper Nyack was completely within the marked crosswalk at the intersection with Burd Street.

The findings were based on statements from four witnesses and evidence gathered at the accident scene. Ruggiero said Motto had nearly reached the center of the roadway at 4:34 p.m. when she was hit by a 2009 Honda Pilot driven by Kate Kyoung Hur, 42, of New City.

At the time of the accident, Hur was turning left from Burd Street onto South Broadway.

Ruggiero said Hur will be issued a traffic ticket for failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. State law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians.

Motto was thrown several feet, striking her head on the pavement when she landed. However, the injuries to Motto are not life-threatening.

Laureen Motto Gallo August 3, 2012 at 01:53 am
Now we know that my mom HAD the right of way, which there was never a doubt in my mind, and people need to remember that pedestrians HAVE the right of way when they are clearly in the cross walk... I am not talking about those that walk out into the street between parked cars. Drivers need to stop being so careless, slow down, and watch the road.... I know this was an accident, but it was an accident that clearly could have been avoided. In one incident and entire family could have been destroyed..... the image my father saw of my mom flying in the air is not one he will likely ever forget.
William Demarest (Editor) August 3, 2012 at 01:59 am
Laureen: Best wishes for a speedy recovery for your mom. We hope we can see her out and about town again soon.
John Whitley August 3, 2012 at 02:02 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your Mom Laureen. Another poster (Edward G) placed a horrible "label" on my comments regarding this incident. My comments were well-intentioned and in NO WAY blamed your Mom for what happened to her. The Village needs to make sure that the cross walks are better marked, drivers need to be more aware, (getting off their darn cellphones would be a start!), and the police need to have a greater presence in the Village.
Kim Raso Stewart August 3, 2012 at 02:15 am
Turning left onto South Broadway from Burd Street is nearly impossible at that time of day in Nyack. You could sit there for several minutes and still be waiting. When I used to go to the drive-up window at HSBC, I would turn left onto Burd only if I was making a right turn onto South Broadway. If I had to go left onto South Broadway, I would drive over to Depew Avenue so I could turn left with the traffic light. My thoughts are with Mrs. Motto and I hope she makes a quick and complete recovery.
James F. Leiner August 3, 2012 at 02:46 am
My thoughts and prayers are with Bev Motto and her husband Bill. What a horrible accident. I can only pray she will recover and continue to enjoy life.
Lisa Donadio August 3, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Best wishes for your Mom to recover quickly. Too many pedestrian strikes lately in this county. Slow down, folks---your car is not supposed to be a weapon.
Mary Koshak August 3, 2012 at 01:18 pm
Best wishes for speedy recovery to Beverly Motto and best regards to the family.
Laureen Motto Gallo August 3, 2012 at 02:14 pm
It was a welcome site this morning when I drove downtown, especially on Broadway, to see the Nyack DPW fixing all the crosswalks - maybe now that they will be visible an accident like this can be avoided...
Linda Motto D'Alleva August 3, 2012 at 02:17 pm
Thank you, Bill...and for everyone else's best wishes. My mom is an amazing person and very strong. She'll be out and about again soon.
Linda Motto D'Alleva
Ken McQuade August 3, 2012 at 02:59 pm
Laureen thanks for your positive post. Hopefully this doesnt happen again anytime
soon. The good people from Goosetown are a tough bunch I'm glad your mother is recovering.
Helen August 3, 2012 at 03:38 pm
However I just drove through town and at the corner of Burd and Broadway where is there is now a shiny white crosswalk, a woman was waiting to cross and nobody stopped for her as they couldn't see her, maybe a parking spot should be taken away from that corner so pedestrians and drivers have better visibility.
Edward Growney August 3, 2012 at 04:32 pm
"The road to hell is paved in good intentions." I resented that you contributed to the spreading of information that contributed to feeding some of the false rumors. One needs to be careful with what one says in contributing, as you did, to those rumors. I stand by everything I said. I am very pleased that the pedestrian will fully recover & that the investigative team dispelled any doubts, that you helped raise, about the pedestrians' position IN THE CROSSWALK!
Jen August 3, 2012 at 11:09 pm
I completely agree with the parking spots being taken away. I have seen 2 accidents in that crosswalk and I feel that is an incredibly dangerous spot. I was so disturbed walking through after that accident happened the other day. I am so glad to hear that Ms Motto is recovering. I was up that night worrying about her!
just another voice August 4, 2012 at 03:25 pm
I have often wished that Nyack could permanently cloister the few downtown blocks into a pedestrian mall, similar to Burlington Vermont. I think the necessary traffic adjustments could be made without too much expense and inconvenience. Safe for pedestrians, along with this gorgeous river access, it could make Nyack a true destination. In the very short while that I have lived here (7 years) too many pedestrians have been hit! It is baffling to me that a town, such as Nyack, with so much potential just doesn't seem to get its act together, for some reason. On another note, what is up with the sinking Riverspace sign that is looking more derelict by the hour. Couldn't some Eagle Scout hopeful take that beautification project on? Why spend money beautifying when one of the most noticeable signs looks like that? I don't get it Nyack.

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