Boy Struck By Car Still Comatose; Driver Identified

by Judy Silberstein

(June 12, 2008) The 18-year-old driver who struck a 9-year-old Larchmont Manor boy on Friday morning, June 6 was identified on June 9 by the Journal News as Mike Mezansky, who graduated from Mamaroneck High School last year and is now a student at Indiana University. (See: 9-Year-Old Manor Boy Hit; Teen Driver Charged With DWI and also an update: Boy Struck By Car Still Unconscious.)

Meanwhile, Karen Schwartzman, a spokesperson for the young boy's family, said on Thursday, June 12 that there had been no change in the condition of William Powers, the boy who was hit. As of last report, he remained unconscious and was breathing with the aid of a ventilator at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital in Valhalla. He has already undergone surgery for a severed femur in his left leg and a fractured tibia in his right leg. Ms. Schwartzman said he also has multiple contusions in addition to several brain edemas and severely bruised lungs.

Police confirmed that the driver in the incident was charged on June 6 with driving under the influence of alcohol on the basis of a field sobriety test. However, they declined to release further information because the driver was eligible for youthful offender status, something that could be conferred by a judge in the future and would require sealing of the record.

The Journal News is arguing that police departments do not have authority to withhold names in traffic incidents, a position supported by Robert Freeman, the executive director of the NY Committee on Open Government. Larchmont Police Chief Steve Rubeo countered that in keeping the information confidential he is following Larchmont Village policy, which conforms to procedures that are common in Westchester and are approved by the Bureau of Municipal Police.

On Monday, June 9, case files were sealed, but that was after a Journal News reporter was able to confirm and report the identity of the driver.

Police did say that after cooperating with the field sobriety test, which includes use of an Intoxilyzer® (in photo at right) to sample alcohol on the breath, the driver declined to be tested with the more reliable Datamaster™ machine housed at the Larchmont Police Station. Police were able to obtain a warrant that compelled the driver to undergo a blood test. Results of the blood test, if and when they are returned, are part of the record that has now been sealed.

Front Page

Print This Page
Email this page