THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

OFFICE OF THE HON. YDANIS RODRIGUEZ

CITY HALL

NEW YORK, NY 10007

(212) 788-7053

***Press Advisory***

March 20th, 2014

Contact: Russell Murphy - (917) 584-9574 - Russmurphy55@gmail.com

ELECTED OFFICIALS AND SAFE STREET ADVOCATES AND FAMILIES CALL FOR JUSTICE FOR JOSBEL RIVERA, HARSHER PENALTIES FOR HIT AND RUN DRIVERS

Family of Josbel Rivera, a college graduate killed in hit and run accident in 2011, hopes to see harsher punishment for perpetrator who lit car on fire following fatal crash to destroy evidence

Advocates and Elected Officials will call for harsher penalties for hit and run drivers who kill on NYC streets

New York, NY-On Friday, March 21st, Elected officials will join family members of Josbel Rivera and safe streets advocates to seek justice in the case of his death following a hit and run crash in 2011.

On the morning of December 26th, 2011, 23-year old Josbel Rivera was walking home after a holiday night out with friends when he was struck and killed on Mosholu Parkway by a driver who then sped off. Police later uncovered a video of a man parking a car and walking away as it burst into flames; this car was found to be the very same that killed Mr. Rivera. Months later, Mr. Mitchum Williams turned himself into the police, after which he was charged with 1 class C felony, 1 class D felony, 2 class E felonies and 2 unspecified misdemeanors, yet none of which addressed the killing of Mr. Rivera. Elected officials, advocates and families will highlight the loopholes in the law that find destroying evidence to be a more egregious violation than the killing of another human being.

NYC District Attorneys are set to testify at City Hall on March 21st before the Committee on Public Safety immediately following the rally/press conference. Advocates and elected officials will call on District Attorneys to fight for harsher penalties for hit and run drivers both in the court room and in Albany.

Additionally, elected officials and advocates will call on the state legislature to pass legislation that addresses the shortfalls when it comes to prosecuting hit and run drivers; as well as drivers who kill while intoxicated, while driving recklessly and driving without a license.

What: NYC Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Elected Officials and Safe Streets Advocates Join Family of Josbel Rivera to Call for Justice in Fatal Hit and Run Case, as well as Harsher Penalties for Hit and Run Drivers in NYS

When: March 21st, 2014, 11:00 AM

Where: City Hall Steps

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