Coward claims
No charges anger mum
THE mother of Geelong cyclist Madison Lyden, who was killed by a truck while riding a bike in New York, has branded Manhattan’s top prosecutor a coward for failing to file criminal charges against the driver whose actions allegedly led to the tragedy.
The NYPD wanted Uber driver Jose Peralta charged, but District Attorney Cy Vance said “a gap in the law” meant he couldn’t do so.
Ms Lyden, 23, originally from Tasmania, worked for the City of Greater Geelong as a learn-to-swim teacher, lifeguard and receptionist.
Her mother Amanda Berry has joined forces with Dana Lerner, who lost her son Cooper, 9, in a 2014 Manhattan crash involving a driver who was also not charged.
“Four years ago, when District Attorney Cyrus Vance refused to prosecute the driver who killed Cooper Stock, he sent a message to all reckless drivers in Manhattan that deadly behaviour will not have any consequences under his watch,” they told the New York Post. “That absence of ac- countability has now taken another life.
“Madison Lyden was killed after a taxi driver veered into the bike lane she rode in on Central Park West, forcing her into traffic, and DA Vance has again refused to prosecute – even though the NYPD believed the driver committed a criminal act. DA Vance’s failure to prosecute reckless drivers is sheer cowardice.”
Ms Lyden was holidaying in New York on August 10 when the accident happened.
NYPD Captain Timothy Malin said police wanted to charge Mr Peralta but Mr Vance decided not to.
“We took it to the DA’s office,” he said. “Everyone on the scene wants to arrest.”