Residents along Pennyfield Avenue have had enough excessive speeding on their streets. Recently a fast-moving SUV wiped out a parked car.
On Friday, January 30, Carol Nuzzolo’s vehicle was damaged by a hit and run. Nuzzolo, whose car had been parked across the street from her residence on Pennyfield Avenue, found her 1992 Ford Taurus pushed up several feet, with its passenger side crushed against a utility pole.
According to Nuzzolo, who immediately contacted the police to report the incident, it seems a speeding car skidded on the icy roadbed that evening, crashing not only into her car but also striking and loosening several rocks from a stonewall.
Aside from the damage found on the Taurus, parts and pieces from the other vehicle, including windshield glass, headlight glass and right side view mirror, were found on the scene.
“It had to be doing 50 or 60 coming down this block to do this kind of damage,” said Nuzzolo. “Sometimes I am petrified thinking about how fast people drive down this road because I think they are going to one day hit a school bus or kids walking back and forth.”
According to Bob Kurz, president of the Schuyler Hill Civic Association, the block presents a Catch-22 situation. Along the over one mile stretch of road, most of the streets are dead end streets, which prevent traffic lights from going up, it is a bus route so no speed humps can be installed, and residents do not want to see the country lane-like road altered.
“There is nothing we can do about it. We have highway come and issue tickets but they can only devote so much time,” said Kurz. “I have spoken to the people in charge at Maritime and they tell their employees and students to follow the speed limit and be careful when they drive.”
Residents however feel that something needs to be done for the area to prevent these frequent incidents from occurring on a regular basis, endangering lives and property.
“I am surprised more people haven’t been hurt here, people walk their dogs along here and it’s a unique situation on this avenue but that’s no excuse,” said Chester Zarnoch, five-year resident of the area.
“This is really a matter of personal responsibility. Too many drivers today are part of the problem rather than part of the solution,” said Councilman James Vacca, who Nuzzolo also reported the incident to. “No matter what rush you’re in, I can assure you it’s not worth wrecking a neighbor’s car or, God forbid, serious injuring someone.”
If anyone has further information regarding this incident, Nuzzolo will be offering a reward and asks that you call (718) 430-9620.
