A heartbreaking accident on Myrtle Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant starkly illustrates the severe dangers faced by construction workers striving to build and improve our city.
On October 29, 2024, 37-year-old Luis Mario Sangurima, a dedicated construction flagger, tragically lost his life when a reckless driver tried to swerve around a box truck.
Sangurima, who was helping direct traffic near the construction site, was struck by a speeding van that veered into oncoming traffic, spotlighting the constant hazards flaggers and other construction site workers encounter on Brooklyn’s busy streets.
The driver, identified as Clyde Mercury, made the fatal decision to bypass a slow-moving truck by crossing into the wrong lane. His impatience and disregard for traffic safety have now led to criminal charges, including criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, reckless driving, and failure to exercise due care.
This tragedy is a powerful reminder of what can happen when drivers ignore traffic rules and fail to respect the protective measures in construction zones. Such accidents are preventable if drivers act responsibly and follow basic safety protocols.
Urban construction zones, particularly in Brooklyn, require careful attention from both workers and drivers. Flaggers like Sangurima serve as vital protectors for their crews and the public, managing traffic to ensure safety for everyone in these restricted areas.
They wear reflective gear, maintain order in chaotic street environments, and put themselves in harm’s way to safeguard others. But when drivers ignore their signals, cutting corners for their own convenience, they turn construction sites into deadly zones.
In New York, Mercury’s charges underscore the legal consequences of reckless driving, but beyond criminal penalties, civil avenues are available for families enduring the fallout from such tragedies.
Wrongful death claims can help grieving families seek financial relief for their devastating losses and force a reckoning for the reckless behavior that took their loved one’s life. These claims also play a critical role in pushing for safer conditions for all, holding negligent parties accountable.
Our law firm is dedicated to representing families in Brooklyn and throughout New York City who have lost loved ones to reckless and preventable acts.
We understand the pain these families endure, and we are committed to ensuring they receive compassionate, determined legal support. They deserve answers and justice when lives are needlessly cut short.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by a negligent driver, don’t wait to seek experienced legal guidance. With over a century of expertise in high-stakes personal injury cases, our team is here to stand by you through this difficult time.
We will rigorously investigate your case, ensuring every possible avenue of justice and compensation is explored.
Call us at 212-987-1100 to learn more about how we can support you in your pursuit of justice and hold those responsible accountable.
