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UWS Street Named 'Cooper Stock Way' In Memory Of Child Fatally Struck By Cab

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A stretch of 97th and West End Avenue has been renamed Cooper Stock Way in memory of the 9-year-old who was fatally struck last year by a taxi failing to yield.

Cooper Stock was crossing West End Avenue on the Upper West Side with his father in January 2014 when they were both hit.

UWS Street Named Cooper Stock Way In Memory Of Child Struck By Cab

An investigation revealed Cooper and his father had the right of way, but in April a judge issued the driver a traffic ticket saying although it was a tragedy, it was not a crime.

In the wake of Cooper's death, a complete redesign of a nearly 2-mile stretch of West End Avenue from West 72nd to West 106th streets was fast-tracked by city transportation officials in August.

In June, Cooper's Law was passed, which established that taxi drivers have their license suspended when involved in a deadly accident.

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A stretch of road on the UWS will be named Cooper Stock Way in memory of a boy struck by a taxi (Photo: Marla Diamond/WCBS 880)

"He was one of the best friends I've ever had in my life," said classmate Dawson Hume. "He was one of the funniest guys on the face of the earth."

On Tuesday, Cooper's mother Dana Lerner, and his uncle, tearfully unveiled the sign, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reports.

"Every time we see this sign or any other sign lets ask why that sign is there and as citizens do something about it," Cooper's uncle said.

Just up the block is Ariel Russo Way, named for a 4-year-old killed two years ago by a teen driver fleeing police.

Her mother, Sofia Russo, came out to support the family.

"We all know what it feels like to miss your child and to keep fighting for change in their name," Russo said.

Cooper Stock
Cooper Stock (Credit: CBS 2)
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