After former police commissioner Howard Safir backed his SUV into a pregnant lady on the Upper East Side, it was initially reported that he would not face charges. However, Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance's spokesperson said it would investigate the matter, because "traffic accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists are a serious concern in Manhattan." Well, now, nearly a month later, Vance's office is closing the book on the matter, telling the Times, "Our office conducted a further factual inquiry as we often do. We found no evidence of a crime, and the matter is closed."
On January 8, Joanne Valarezo, seven months pregnant at the time, crossed Third Avenue between 80th and 81st Streets when Safir, in a Cadillac Escalade, struck her, bruising her shoulder and partially hitting her stomach (she was not knocked down). While Safir claimed he had no idea she was near his car, Valarezo says that his female passenger screamed and that "He definitely saw me" before driving off.
Safir's lawyer said the lack of charges showed "there was no malice, no negligence," calling it "at most, a brushing," adding, "There was no injury, no ambulance."
