The family of a 21-year-old actress who was struck and killed by a Mack dump truck in the Union Square area of New York City this spring has sued New York City, the New York City Department of Transportation, New York City Department of Design and Construction, the driver and Mack Trucks (manufacturer of dump truck) claiming that poor roadway conditions and the design of the vehicle contributed to the woman’s death.
The lawsuit was filed in New York County Supreme Court claiming $30 million in damages. The claim against the driver is based on the fact that he fled the scene and is free to drive the streets of New York City. In addition to accusing the driver of negligence, the lawsuit blames New York City for creating poor traffic and road conditions in the high-volume intersection of Union Square.
The woman was struck by the dump truck on May 24, 2012 as she crossed Broadway, south of 14th Street, heading from her Greenwich Village job to her apartment in East Harlem. According to the complaint, she was crossing Broadway eastbound, with the walk signal, when she was struck.
Lastly, the lawsuit claims that Mack Truck designed a dump truck with very large and dangerous blind spots.
