The Rosendale intersection where Kingston resident Victoria Cooper tragically lost her life was redesigned years ago with “no accommodations” for pedestrian safety, wrote Ulster County Executive and Rosendale resident Jen Metzger in a press release.
“I have long been concerned about this dangerous intersection of two state roads, right at the gateway of the town where there is significant commercial activity and pedestrian traffic”, she wrote. “I urge NYSDOT to fix this intersection and create a safe pedestrian crossing with lit pedestrian signals to prevent avoidable heart-wrenching tragedies like this in the future.”
Government agencies like NYSDOT generally have sovereign or “qualified immunity,” meaning it can be difficult to hold them accountable for injuries and fatalities related to poor intersection design. However, if a plaintiff can show that a design was not based on adequate study or reasonable justification, or that the agency failed to properly maintain known hazards, liability may be possible through a lawsuit in the Court of Claims. Beyond legal recourse, citizens and advocacy groups often rely on public pressure, formal complaints, and political support to prompt design changes.
Arrest made
Over the previous weekend, authorities arrested 34-year-old Alex B. Brown of New Paltz in connection with the fatal hit-and-run on Jan. 16. Police say Victoria Cooper, 37, was struck by a vehicle on Route 32 and subsequently hit by Brown, who fled the scene. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, but Cooper was pronounced dead at the scene.
Brown faces charges including leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. He was remanded to the Ulster County Jail with bail set at $5,000 cash or a $10,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 22.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact SP Kingston BCI at (845) 338-1702, referencing case number 2500042656.
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