Accused killer in Times Square crash blames victims
The driver who allegedly mowed down pedestrians in Times Square during a deadly May 2017 rampageis blaming the victims for the incident.
Richard Rojas — who plans to use an insanity defense to beat back murder, attempted murder and assault charges — has answered a civil lawsuit by the family of the Michigan teen killed in the attack and six survivors.
Rojas, who allegedly smoked PCP before training his Honda Accord at pedestrians on a Seventh Avenue sidewalk, has denied responsibility for the crash in new court papers.
He says “any damages which may have been sustained” by deceased 18-year-old victim Alyssa Elsman and the six injured survivors “were contributed in whole or in part by [their] culpable conduct.”
He adds that the victims’ insurance companies or worker’s compensation benefits will adequately cover their medical bills.
A lawyer for Elsman’s father, Thomas, who is the lead plaintiff in the suit, and the surviving victims did not return calls requesting comment.
Finally, Rojas is countersuing the city — a co-defendant in the victims’ Manhattan Supreme Court civil suit — saying it is to blame for “carelessness, recklessness or negligence.”
A city Law Department spokeswoman said, “We’ll review the complaint and respond accordingly.”
Rojas’ civil attorney, Kenneth E. Pitcoff, did not return messages asking for an explanation of the countersuit, but he was likely referring to the lack of protective barriers for pedestrians in high-traffic areas like Times Square.
A spokesman for Mayor Bill de Blasio told The Post that the NYPD and other public agencies have “already installed numerous concrete blocks and Jersey barriers at several sensitive locations around the city, to provide protection in advance of the bollard installations.”
“Bollard placements and construction are under way now and on schedule,” the spokesman said.
“The City has started excavation on the 42nd to 43rd, 43rd to 44th, 45th to 46th streets for bollard installation. Current schedule is to have all bollards installed by end of 2018, with sidewalk restoration completion in spring 2019,” he added.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment