Intersection Seen As Death Trap
By English Anderson
Brooklyn Daily Eagle
BUSHWICK — Family members are still shocked at the case of 13-year-old Anthony Delgado, who was struck dead by an SUV that slammed into his bike on Sunday.
On Monday, Melvin Morales 34, of Pennsylvania Avenue, was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Through further investigation, trace evidence was found on his tow truck, police said.
Morales were then charged with vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident, criminally negligent homicide, driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.
Delgado’s family is happy that Morales has been arrested, said stepfather Thomas Cruz. “They got an animal off the street. It would’ve only been a matter of time that he did this to another kid,” he said.
Anthony’s distraught mother, Antonia Cansino 30, of Bushwick, fought back the tears as she spoke about Anthony. She described him as a good kid with a kind heart who generally stayed at home.
Anthony, nicknamed Ant, loved working on the computer, designing cars. Cansino related that Anthony told her that one day he was going to design a car for her. He attended P.S. 81 in Queens, and was in the 5th grade.
On Sunday, Anthony and his family were scheduled to celebrate the fifth birthday of his sister Crystal. Crystal didn’t understand what had happened to her brother, and continued to ask for him. Antonia said that she didn’t know how to explain to her what happened.
Neighbors described the Central Avenue corner where Anthony was killed as dangerous and believe that a stop sign is not enough to prevent another accident or fatality.
Harold Benn, 47, said the community has been complaining for over 6 years about the dangers of not having traffic lights, but nothing has been done about it. “It’s so sad that this keeps happening here. Someone must do something fast about this situation or we will lose a lot more people,” he said.
On the corner of Palmetto and Central avenues, where Anthony was killed, his family and friends set up a memorial with a picture, flowers and candles. An inscription on his picture read: “We all love you, mom, dad, brother and sisters, friends and family — Love you, Anthony, you will be missed.”
Morning mass for Anthony Delgado will take place on Friday at 10 a.m. at San Jose Funeral Home, 289 St. Nicholas Ave., Ridgewood, New York.
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2007
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