Vigil for education reformer Norman Fruchter who was killed by a reckless driver as he was walking home

Norman Fruchter died from his injuries after being struck by a car near his home earlier this month. Street safety activists as well as grieving family members and friends gathered yesterday night in Bay Ridge’s Owls Head Park to honor the life of  the legendary education reformer and civil right activist. The vigil was also attended by Senator Andrew Gounardes, Comptroller Brad Lander and Council Member Justin Brannan.

The driver who killed Fruchter was backing up the wrong way

Norman Fruchter died on January 4th after two weeks of pain and suffering. The accident occurred on December 22nd. Fruchter was crossing 68th Street from Owls Head Park to get to Bliss Terrace where he lives, when he was struck by a careless driver who was speeding in reverse the wrong way on 68th street. The driver backed up over him and then allowed the car to roll forward, striking the pedestrian again.

Norman Fruchter’s wife, Rachel, was also killed in a car accident caused by a reckless driver

Norman leaves behind his son Lev Fruchter and his daughter Chenda. The 3 of them had already lost their respective wife and mother in a car accident 25 years ago. She was killed by a reckless driver in Prospect Park.

Both parents of Lev and Chenda were killed by drivers who could not get insurance because their records were too bad so they signed up for the New York Automobile Insurance Plan (NYAIP) which is a special insurance facility established under New York State law to assure that coverages are provided.

So far the NYPD did not charge the driver. The reckless driver who killed the mother, Rachel Fruchter, 25 year ago was also let go by the police.

Read more in the Brooklyn Paper

Picture of the location of the accident: courtesy of Google Map