Community Corner
Parents Of New Milford Terror Victim Darren Drake Suing NYC
NYC was 'negligent' regarding the bike path where Sayfullo Saipov is accused of driving a van and killing Darren Drake.
NEW MILFROD, NJ — The parents of Darren Drake, one of the people killed in the recent New York City terror attack carried out by a Paterson man, plan to sue New York City regarding the bike path their son died on.
Barbara and James Drake are suing the city, its parks, transportation and recreation departments and the Hudson River Park Trust regarding the death of their son, Darren.
Darren Drake, 32, and several others were killed when Sayfullo Saipov allegedly drove a van rented at a Passaic County Home Depot store down the bike path on the West Side HIghway Oct. 31.
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Darren Drake/Patch file photo
A notice of claim drafted by Fort Lee lawyer Rosemarie Arnold, the defendants were "negligent" and "breached their duties" regarding the bike path, its design and maintenance.
Find out what's happening in New Milfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to the notice of claim, cars "could and often did turn onto the bike path from the West Side Highway," and refused or failed to "close unnecessary driveways where motorists were known to enter onto the bike path."
The Drakes are seeking monetary damages for the death of their son, including the loss of his "future lost earnings." Darren Drake was a project manager for Moody's in New York City. Drake, 32, would often ride a bike on the path.
"Darren was a highly educated, well-loved, successful 32-year-old man who was a happy, positive person who used biking as a means to stay healthy in mind and body," Arnold said. "His parents are heartbroken, especially since this terrible tragedy was completely preventable."
Darren Drake was ex-president of the New Milford Board of Education. He graduated from New Milford High School in 2003 and Rutgers University in 2007. He stepped down from his school board seat because his company was relocating, he told Patch in 2013.
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