On September 30, State Senator Qi Yiwen unveiled a new proposal in the state senate aimed at increasing penalties for unlicensed drivers who cause fatalities due to reckless behavior. The initiative is designed to deter these dangerous actions and address the rising number of traffic-related injuries and deaths.
This proposal follows a heartbreaking incident that occurred on June 3, when 82-year-old Efrain Barreto was struck by a motorcycle operated by 32-year-old Abed Abed while crossing Fifth Avenue at 60th Street. Tragically, Barreto passed away three days later in the hospital. Senator Qi revealed that the legislation is named the “Efrain Law” to honor Barreto’s memory and to ensure that reckless drivers face serious consequences, with the goal of preventing similar tragedies in the future.
If passed, the proposal would classify drivers who operate a vehicle without a license and cause a fatality—especially those with a history of reckless driving—as felons, charging them with “aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the first degree.” Currently, those offenders often face only misdemeanor charges and are unlikely to face imprisonment.
Senator Qi spoke about the inadequacies of current penalties, stating, “Murder is a criminal offense, and so is reckless driving, yet the penalties are very lenient. The driver responsible for Mr. Barreto’s death was fully aware he was unlicensed and that his motorcycle was unregistered, yet felt emboldened to drive because the consequences were insufficient.” She stressed that this situation is unjust and underscored the need for legislative reform.
After the press conference, Barreto’s family, who are still reeling from their loss, voiced their frustration over the driver’s potential misdemeanor charges. Vivian, Barreto’s daughter, expressed her sorrow, saying, “Just three months ago, my father was hit by a motorcycle right here, and three days later, he was gone. Even now, thinking about what happened tears me up. If someone drives recklessly and takes a life, that’s a crime, and the person responsible should go to jail. This proposed law would bring justice for victims’ families.”
The press conference also featured the presence of 72nd Precinct Commander Krystin Suarez, Community Affairs Officer Susan Alexander, and Community Council Chair Tina Ponce, all of whom expressed their support for the initiative.
