New York Personal Injury News & NYC Legal Current Events

Out Of Control Truck Plows Down City Sidewalk: Mother Pushes Children To Safety

Posted on Aug 10, 2011

Imagine walking down a city sidewalk only to see an out-of-control truck heading straight toward you. Just like a scene from a movie, this is what Deborah Dermack experienced while out with her two children in tow. Fortunately Dermack's quick thinking and split section reactions prevented what could have been a tragedy.

As reported by the New York Daily News, "Dermack, a doctor, pushed her 2 year old daughter, Hannah and 10 month old son, Sam, out of the path of a truck as it barreled onto the sidewalk about 3:20 p.m."

Witnesses reported seeing the truck mow down a MuniMeter, street sign and small tree as it careened out of control along Third Ave. near E. 30^th Street in Murray Hill. Mom's quick actions saved the two children, however a U.S. Postal worker was not so lucky. As the truck barreled down the sidewalk taking out anything in it's path, ended up striking the postal service worker who was later treated for minor injuries. The mayhem did not end there; after wreaking havoc on the sidewalk, the driver of the truck attempted to get the vehicle back onto the roadway only to be hit by a passing van.

Police are investigating the incident which may be the result of mechanical problems. An unidentified witness stated the driver was yelling, "We ain't got no brakes" as the truck raced down the city sidewalk.

Dermack was treated at NYU Medical Center for minor injuries sustained in the incident. It appears while pushing her children out of harms way, Dermack was struck by part of the tree as it fell to the ground.

As scary as this incident must have been for all those involved, it clearly could have been much worse. One witness statement puts it all into perspective, "I put my hands over my face. I didn't want to see what was going to happen."

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