Wolfram Web Log Archive 2004 TRAFFIC TRAGEDY IN CHINATOWN

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New York Post
from:
http://nypost.com/news/regionalnews/24210.htm

TRAFFIC TRAGEDY IN CHINATOWN
By ZACH HABERMAN

July 1, 2004 -- An elderly woman was mowed down in Chinatown last night, spurring good Samaritans to race to her aid and lift the car off of her in a failed bid to save her life, cops and witnesses said.

The unidentified woman, believed to be in her 70s, was crossing The Bowery at Broome Street when a 2000 Toyota Camry plowed into her at about 6:30 p.m., cops said.

"I looked up and I saw her under the car," said Eric Wolfram, 39 — one of the half-dozen strangers who sprang into action after the accident.

"I don't think the driver knew she was there, he started to drive and people were yelling, 'Stop! Stop!'

"People started saying 'Let's move it,' " said Wolfram, who joined the others as they lined up across the rear bumper and lifted the back end of the car and moved it about five feet to the right.

"She was just looking around. She was in shock," said Sam Mizrahy, who charged out of his store to help after hearing screams of horror outside. "We just lifted the car and moved it off her. I didn't think we could move it."

The woman, whom Mizrahy said was frequently seen collecting empty bottles in the neighborhood, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital where she died at 7:35 p.m.

The driver, Jian Feng, 42, was issued a summons for failing to exercise due caution, police said.