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Victims' Families Rally For Safety, Prevention Of Car vs. Pedestrian Accidents In NYC

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Families of pedestrians struck and killed by cars in New York City gathered at City Hall Park Sunday to remember their loved ones.

They also pushed for increased safety for walkers and bikers.

At the event, Bobbi Coval stood with her eyes filled with tears as she held up a picture of her 22-year-old son, Jack.

"He graduated in 2016, moved here on June 27th and was killed on July 31st," she said.

Coval said it was Jack's dream to live in New York City, and he was only able to live out that dream for five weeks before he was hit and killed by a driver near 46th Street and the West Side Highway.

"This is an epidemic in New York City. Drivers have got to yield to the right of way to pedestrians and pedestrians really need to be careful here," Coval said. "It's a crazy town."

Coval and other members of families who lost someone because of reckless driving came out to share in their grief and to push for change going forward.

City Council Transportation Committee Chairman Ydanis Rodriguez (D-10th), Councilwoman Margaret Chin (D-1st), Councilman Brad Lander (D-39th), and state Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan) were also in attendance.

But as of late last month, new data showed deaths on city streets and highways were up for the first time in three years.

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