Thread: NY-Driver who killed Brewster mom and child had no license

Police: Driver who struck and killed Brewster mom and child had no license
By Michael Risinit and Rob Ryser • mrisinit@lohud.com • June 9, 2009

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SOUTHEAST - State police today said they were continuing to investigate the actions of Zacaria Conses-Garcia leading up to the moment when, police say, he struck and killed a mother and her young daughter as they were walking out of the child's dance class yesterday.

"We're still trying to piece together his whereabouts, how long he'd been driving, where he's coming from," state police Lt. Dominick Chiumento said.

Conses-Garcia, who police said worked on a farm in North Salem and Florida, was charged with one count of first-degree vehicular manslaughter, a felony, and driving while intoxicated. Putnam County Chief Assistant District Attorney Christopher York said a charge of first-degree vehicular manslaughter results from causing the death of two individuals.

Police said Conses-Garcia did not have a license and is in the country illegally. The federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement department has filed a detainer against the suspect.

Police said the 35-year-old Guatemalan native struck Kayla Donohue, 8, a second-grader at John F. Kennedy Elementary School in Southeast, and her mother, Lori Donohue, 37, Monday evening outside Seven Stars School of Performing Arts in Brewster. The white Ford F-350 pickup truck then crashed into the dance school's building. It's unclear who owns the truck with Florida license plates though some motor vehicle records indicate it's a Hertz vehicle rented in Casselberry, Fla.

Kayla Donohue was pronounced dead at the scene about 6:45 p.m., Brewster fire officials said. Lori Donohue was taken by Brewster ambulance to Putnam Hospital Center and then by helicopter to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, where she later "succumbed to her injuries," police said today.

The Rev. Kathleen Koran, of Trinity Lutheran Church in Southeast, said in an e-mail today that the Donohue family, including husband and father, Robert, and 5-year-old son, Christopher, "has been active and faithful in Sunday School and worship" at the church since last summer.

The pastor asked congregants "to keep the Donohue family in your prayers."

The wake is Thursday and Friday from to 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Beecher Funeral Home, 1 Putnam Ave., Brewster. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2103 Route 6.

Chiumento and other law-enforcement officials gathered outside the Brewster state police barracks on Route 22 about midday today to discuss the investigation. York said the fatal accident was more heartbreaking given that Kayla was, moments before, enjoying her dance class.

"It's always even more horrible when it's a child," he said of his visit to the scene Monday night.

Seven Stars canceled all regular classes today but announced this afternoon that the studio would open from 5 to 8 p.m. "for any students who feel the need to come and dance. A counselor will also be at the studio for those of you who would like to talk to someone, and a room with stationary will be available to write words of consolation to the family."

A candlelight vigil is planned for 6 p.m. and the dance studio said it is also setting up a fund for the Donohue family and is accepting donations in the form of money, food, or gift cards.

Three Brewster school district moms, Alaina Pratley, Colleen Sullivan and Kristen Rampolla, have also organized a fundraising drive to help the Donohue family. Donations can be sent to Sullivan at 23 Locust Drive, Brewster, NY 10509.

Earlier today, mourners had already started to construct a memorial at the corner of the building where the little girl and her mother were struck. Red roses in a coffee cup, a bouquet of white flowers, a small stuffed animal and lit votive candles could be found there this morning.


http://lohud.com/article/20090609/NEWS0 ... /newsfront

Hertz vehicle rented in Casselberry, Fla.

I bet some enabler rented it for him. I would like to hear the rest of that story.

Dixie

Originally Posted by Dixie

Hertz vehicle rented in Casselberry, Fla.

I bet some enabler rented it for him. I would like to hear the rest of that story.
Dixie

Interesting, I wonder if this vehicle might have been reported stolen also.
Having worked at Hertz in the mid 80s, the people who drove cars to various locations around houston would have to go recover a car that was rented for a weeks time but never returned.

AN update to this original story

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-158950.html

The pastor asked congregants "to keep the Donohue family in your prayers."

Yep, and the day before she was probably telling the congregation that "we're all God's children" while speaking to the need for illegal alien amnesty.


[quote]Advocacy Update
June 2009

Mending the Immigration System Should Unite Families
By Gregory Z. Chen, LIRS Director for Legislative Affairs

As I reported last month, efforts are beginning in earnest to piece together the quilt of immigration reform. For much of the nation this is welcome news given widespread agreement that the immigration system remains a messy patchwork in need of repair.

It was nearly two years ago, June 2007, that the last major reform effort failed in the Senate. LIRS had expressed deep concern that the Senate proposal did not meet our basic goals for immigration reform, particularly in regard to protecting immigrant families and the American communities of which they are such an integral part. LIRS announced that the Senate bill would “dramatically cut the family visa system…making it more difficult for U.S. citizens to reunite with their parents and nearly impossible for U.S. citizens to reunite with siblings and adult children.â€

Here's an interesting comment that was posted:

I am in Dutchess County and I have been begging and pleading with our police and politicians to get these guys off the road.
Unlike citizens when these guys get stopped or crash, they continue driving, but due to their illegal status they just keep driving and police say they can't do anything.
I live on a rural back road and Christmas morning drunk illegals crashed in front of my home. They are still driving daily along with many other unlicensed aliens using out of state tags.
They use out of state tags which can be bought on Ebay. I bought a set. They came suprisingly complete with valid registration stickers attached. Also the set I ordered came with a HERTZ rental car sticker on the back. I informed police about these tags! couldn't get anything done.
My heart goes out to the family of these innocent victims.