Nadjet Tchenar was visibly distraught Tuesday speaking of her husband, 36-year-old Mohammed Zakaria Salah Rakchi. He’s currently at Lutheran Medical Center fighting for his life.
Rakchi was one of the victims struck in Monday’s U-Haul rampage in Brooklyn.
“I have no words. He was a good person,” Tchenar said. “A friend called me and said your husband had an accident but he’s doing well, but when I went to the hospital, I saw him in really critical condition.”
What You Need To Know
- Nadjet Tchenar's husband, Mohammed Zakaria Salah Rakchi, is currently at Lutheran Medical Center fighting for his life after being struck in the U-Haul attack in Brooklyn Monday
- The family is originally from Algeria and hasn’t been in the U.S. for long
- The family is now using a law firm to conduct their own investigation into what led to the attack, including whether the NYPD followed proper vehicle pursuit protocol
Tchenar said she last spoke with her husband that morning right after he dropped off the couple’s 7-year-old daughter at school — something he routinely did.
Rakchi was one of the nine victims struck. So far, one man has died from injuries. Surveillance video briefly showed Rakchi being hit near 4th Avenue and 55th Street in Sunset Park.
“His pelvis was broken. He has two tubes in his lungs. He has a hematoma in his head and also his rib cage was broken,” said Kamel Seksaf, a community organizer who spoke at the family’s news conference.
The family is now using a law firm to conduct their own investigation into what led to this, including whether NYPD followed proper vehicle pursuit protocol.
“When you look at that video and you see the high-speed chase taking place where a police cruiser actually ran up onto our sidewalk in a crowded neighborhood, where there were stores, in broad daylight,” said Derek Sells, an attorney with The Cochran Firm. “One must wonder whether or not that was a triggering event for this driver and what might have led him to do the things that he did.”
“We support the NYPD, don’t get me wrong, they’re there to do the right thing. We support everybody but our concern is as an individual seeing someone speeding on a sidewalk. Could be your son, my brother,” said Seksaf.
In addition to a 7-year-old daughter, the couple also has a 3-year-old boy. The family is originally from Algeria and hasn’t been in the U.S. for long. Rakchi is the sole breadwinner and just wanted to make a better life for them.
“One thing she didn’t say was the kids saying ‘when daddy gonna come home,’ they think he’s outside,” said Seksaf.