UPDATE: Crown Heights Woman Killed By Hit-And-Run Driver Along Eastern Parkway on Christmas Day

UPDATE: According to Gothamist, the vehicle has been recovered (although the driver is still at large).
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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
December 28, 2011

Contact: Aja Worthy-Davis at (212) 788-7081, (347) 247-3600

Crown Heights Woman Killed By Hit-And-Run Driver Along Eastern Parkway on Christmas Day

(New York, NY)— On Christmas morning, 38-year-old Donna Fountain lost her life after being struck down by a hit-and-run driver on Eastern Parkway near Troy Avenue. The accident occurred around 7:30AM on December 25, 2011. Ms. Fountain and her young son were on their way home following work.

The car that hit Ms. Fountain was grey. Investigators are currently reviewing traffic camera footage to uncover information about the vehicle. Witnesses have reported that the accident may have been related to illegal street-racing nearby.

Ms. Fountain was a home healthcare aid with Partners in Care, as well as the mother to an eight-year-old boy, Elijah. Officials at the scene discovered a list entitled “My Dreams” which included such personal goals as—‘find a great job, buy a house, start a sanctuary for gay and lesbian teens, marry the woman of [Ms. Fountain’s] dreams, and watch [Elijah] graduate from college’.

“To experience such a tragic loss during the Holiday season is devastating,” said Council Member Letitia James. “My heart goes out to the Fountain family and especially young Elijah. I hope the driver(s) think about the family, and comes forward to bring them some closure at this difficult time.”

In early 2011, Tri-State Transportation Campaign (a region-wide advocacy group) found Eastern Parkway to be one of the City’s most dangerous streets for pedestrians— with five fatalities reported at the time of the study. Council Member Letitia James recently requested that the NYC Department of Transportation complete a study to determine the feasibility of a slow zone along Eastern Parkway.

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ATTENTION: Crown Heights Parking Meter Installation

The Office of Council Member Letitia James has recently learned that in accordance with the New York City administrative code, an upcoming installation of parking meters will affect the 35th Council District.

Beginning May 2011, the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC-DOT) will install single-space parking meters on both the east and west sides of Troy Avenue from Empire Boulevard to Crown Street, The meter rate will be $.25 per 20 minutes.

The NYC-DOT expects that inconvenience to motorists will be minimal; however, should you have any further questions, you are encouraged to contact the Brooklyn Borough Commissioner’s office at (718) 222-7259.

News from the Department of Transportation: Eastern Parkway

In February, the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) will present to Community Board 8 the final design for the reconstruction of Eastern Parkway from Washington Avenue to Grand Army Plaza. This project will involve the complete rebuilding of all sewer, water, and utility lines, as well as the rebuilding of the roadway and sidewalks, including the median; construction is planned to begin in the Spring of 2010.