Parents Whose Son was Killed Sue City

The parents of Michael Needham Jr., a 10-year-old Bronx boy fatally struck by a van while riding his bicycle, are suing the city for $10 million for failing to install a speed bump on a street that they say was known as a safety hazard. Michael was riding his bike after school on June 5, 2008, when he was hit by the van. He fell into a coma and died 17 days later.

The suit alleges that the city should have known that the nearby Allerton Library attracted a large number of kids and that drivers break a number of laws by speeding, not stopping at stop signs, speeding up to make traffic lights, and operating their vehicles in a dangerous manner.

Michael’s parents are also suing the Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service for $10 million for their “careless, reckless, and negligent” response to the accident, and the car’s driver for $10 million. New York Auto Accident Attorneys understand why the parents are devastated by their son’s death.

Since his death, Michael’s family, neighbors and the Bennington School in Allerton have worked on expanding bicycle safety education and have campaigned for a speed bump and tougher traffic law enforcement on the street.

New York Daily News