Dozens of people, including activists, elected officials and community members gathered in Queens Sunday for what they called World Day of Remembrance to honor those who have been killed in vehicular crashes.
“She does not strive and therefore is successful," David Biolsi said to honor his late wife, 62-year-old Tamara Chuchi Kao, as he sobbed in front of onlookers.
What You Need To Know
- Dozens of people, including activists, elected officials and community members gathered in Queens Sunday for what they called World Day of Remembrance to honor those who have been killed in vehicular crashes
- The event included a rally in Astoria Park before participants marched to three sites of recent vehicular accidents that killed either a pedestrian or cyclist
- Traffic violence has killed at least 223 people in 2023, according to Transportation Alternatives
- The event was organized in part by members of Families for Safe Streets, representatives from Transportation Alternatives and loved ones of those killed in vehicular accidents
Kao was struck and killed by a cement truck driver while riding a bike near 24th Avenue and 29th Street in Astoria last January. She is among hundreds killed by a vehicle in the city who were honored during a rally and march.
“I ride Citi Bike almost every day and I constantly see people, cars and bikes and pedestrians doing dangerous things on the street,” Biolsi said.
The event began in Astoria Park, as loved ones of vehicle-involved tragedies and advocates for safer streets gathered around bikes, shoes, strollers and flowers symbolizing cyclists, pedestrians, children and others seriously injured or killed in traffic accidents.
Attendees called for projects and policies to increase traffic safety, such as Sammys Law, legislation that would allow New York City to reduce speed limits across the city.
“I lost my daughter on June 30th, 2016,” Julian Williams said of her late daughter, 21-year-old Doniqueca Cook. “A drunk, reckless driver hit my daughter and killed her on the sidewalk.”
After the rally, participants marched to three separate sites of recent vehicle-involved pedestrian or cyclist deaths. All three occurred in Astoria in the past last year, including 38-year-old mother Karina Lorino, who was killed at 21st Avenue and Astoria Park South back in May.
“She gave so much every day to make sure that her daughter was well taken care of, was a well-rounded young woman, she cared for her family. She was the glue of our family,” said her brother, Manuel Lorino.
Marchers also walked to 21st Avenue and 21st Street where 16-year-old Jayden McLaurin was killed back in April. He was honored by his mother, grandmother and other relatives Sunday.
“Jayden was on his way home from playing basketball with his friends and unfortunately, this is where we’re at today,” said his grandmother, Elizabeth McLaurin.
The last destination was the corner of 24th Avenue and 29th Street in Astoria where Kao, affectionately known as “Tammy” by her husband, lost her life while riding a bike.
“I just think it’s a way to raise the awareness of the problems of unsafe streets,” said Kai’s husband Biolsi.
The event was organized in part by members of Families for Safe Streets, representatives from Transportation Alternatives and loved ones of those killed in vehicular accidents.