Driver Gary Levinson, 62, has been indicted on charges of criminally negligent homicide and reckless driving following a tragic accident in Greenwich Village, New York. The incident, which occurred on November 6 of last year, claimed the life of 27-year-old Valerie Schoeck just before her scheduled wedding.
According to reports from the New York Police Department (NYPD), the accident happened around 8:30 a.m. at the intersection of Morton Street and Seventh Avenue South. Mr. Levinson was driving a 2020 GMC Savanna van and made a left turn, leading to a head-on collision with Ms. Schoeck as she was crossing the street.
Accident Details and Misconduct
Investigators determined that the victim was crossing the street within the marked crosswalk at the time of the incident. Further investigation also indicated that Levinson had been driving the wrong way on the street before the fatal collision.
Ms. Schoeck, originally from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a resident of the West Village, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital. However, due to the severity of her injuries, she did not survive. The tragedy has deeply shaken the Lower Manhattan community.
Prosecution and Upcoming Trial
Gary Levinson, an East Village resident with no prior criminal record, was officially arraigned in Manhattan Supreme Court on February 26. The defendant was released without bail and is scheduled to return to court for a hearing on April 8.
The victim's family stated that Schoeck was in the midst of preparing for her wedding next summer. Her relatives shared emotional tributes, describing her as a talented, passionate young woman who was beloved by everyone. The case continues to draw significant public attention in New York regarding pedestrian safety issues.
