Ramapo, NY – A fatal collision last night on a major thoroughfare in Monsey took the life of an 18 year old young woman from a well known local family.
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Shaindy Mashinsky, daughter of Rabbi Yosef Mashinsky, was crossing Route 59 at approximately 8:50 PM Tuesday near Augusta Avenue just west of Route 306 with her younger sister when she was struck by a minivan traveling eastbound on the busy roadway.
The younger Miss Mashinsky, whose name and age were not released by the Ramapo Police Department, had just reached the south side of Route 59 when the collision occurred, but the elder girl was still in the roadway.
Paramedics treated Shaindy Mashinsky on scene and transported her to Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla in serious condition with injuries to her head and body. The younger sister witnessed the accident and was uninjured but was unable to provide the Ramapo Police Accident Investigation Unit with any information.
Miss Mashinsky’s succumbed to her injuries this morning.
The Mashinsky family are long time pillars of the Monsey community and founders of Kupath Ezra which helps those who struggle financially. Rabbi Yosef Mashinsky, a principal at Yeshiva Bais Dovid, lost his wife, Mrs. Bracha Mashinsky, several years ago.
New housing developments have gone up on both sides of Route 59 in recent years and there are no traffic lights on that stretch of the roadway. The safest crossings near Augusta Avenue are located a third of a mile away to either the east or the west, leaving pedestrians to make the walk to the nearest crosswalk or to cross three lanes of traffic on the Route 59, a heavily traveled east-west route which runs from the Hudson River to the New Jersey state line.
Police, who are continuing their investigation, said that the driver of the 2009 Toyota Sienna remained on scene and that no criminal charges have been filed at this time.
The funeral for Miss Mashinsky is scheduled to take place today at 11 AM at Kehal Avriechim – Rav Schnnebalg, 31 Dover Terrace Monsey.
Terrible tragedy. In Monsey cell phone use and driving on the wrong side will cause more accidents.
My opinion to the street situation in Monsey; IT IS WAY TOO DARK OUT THERE! Every single time I drive to Monsey I get so mad trying to get through the streets without chasveshalom overseeing someone in the dark. No proper side walks – no proper lighting! All main streets NEED to be better lighted up!!! Very upset…
I think poster No. 1 is saying that the minivan driver was negligent and his/her attention was diverted from driving while texting. The police, however, have not yet confirmed these facts. However, there is a reasonable likelihood the negligent driver was also a yid given the location and the fact the vehicle was a minivan.
That is a very busy stretch of road. Almost a highway. And not lit up enough. Really not a place where anyone should cross. But there are not enough crosswalks and no traffic lights there so what is a person who lives there meant to do?
This was not a small child- she made a judgement that she could get across in time.
But I don’t think that you can blame a driver on that road either.
What’s with all the hasty judgments?
Maybe now they will put up a light!
May she be a meiletz yosher. Wonderful people.
Lights! Lights! And more Lights!
There are not enough crossing lights at intersections in boro park too. Residents must urge councilmembers to put up street lights and crossing lights at necessary spots.
I personally know the driver. He is not a careless man at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t own a cell phone. He is the kind of driver you don’t want in front of you he is always driving at the speed limit with his hands on 10 and 2.
This is just a tragic accident.
As someone that is always quick to judge, I hope learned a lesson here. unless you know all the facts don’t comment.
Now is not the time to comment on the natural contributing factors that helped the Mal’ach HaMavess do his work. HaMaskil Yidome.
If only people would drive within the posted speed limits, there would be less accidents especially when there is no snow or icy conditions to complicate matters in the summer.
first and foremost, I wouldlike to say that I do not know the driver, nor do I accuse him of any wrongdoing. This accident is a tragedy and in order to avoid more tragedies, I would like to make a few points about monsey drivers in general.
1. There is a total disregard of the law when it comes to cell phones and texting. It’s as if the law does not exist. Yet, when someone gets pulled over for it, its always “the cop is an anti-semite”. He is not an anti-semite; he is trying to save lives.
2. Stop signs and red lights are not merely suggestions; they are laws. Case in point, there is a STOP sign at the crosswalk in front of Evergreen. More than 90% of drivers blow right by it (most of them on cell phones). Yes – more than 90%.
Also, the lane in front on the stores by Evergreen is ONE WAY!!. There have been many times that I narrowly avoided a head collision because some jerk just doesnt care. Ive pointed it out to several drivers only to get a hand wave or even worse, the middle finger.
3. Drivers speed thru parking lots. Its an absolute miracle that more people have not been run down.
People, for the sake of our children and ourselves, be careful. DO NOT TEXT AND DRIVE!
We definitely need more stop signs / crosswalks and lights in Monsey.
Horrific tragedy. I wish and hope the best for the family. The driver wasn’t able to calm down he was bursting in tears last night. This is an unfortunate situation for both families. Lets not judge and lets pray for the best.
Maybe those who walk at night might consider getting reflective vests if that would be allowable by the modesty dress codes.
Reading the comments it is now clear that the driver was not texting or speeding. Nice job, #1 , in putting out your compulsion as a cause of death. What has not been written is that this roadway is not pedestrian friendly. Route 59 is technically a highway and pedestrians need to use caution when crossing. The new plan, the crazy plan, to build 600 a apartments in the park and ride will lead to more dangerous situations. A couple years back we list a great Tzadeikes crossing this roadway. Instead of worrying about properly Znius reflectors, as if Torah would ever care about such a thing, we should put our wives in daughters in cars so they don’t have to get run over.
Chasid shoteh! Maybe women should get killed instead of wearing reflective clothing. Maybe some men should help out at night so women wouldn’t be going out at night under dangerous conditions.
The folks that have blood on their hands are the greedy developers from the chasidishe community that couldn’t give a hoot about safety and quality of life. To them, it’s build build build money money and more money. Rt 306 was never meant to handle so many homes, with multiple apartments in each one. Add to this, drivers that could care less about how they drive and no regard for the law. (not saying that the driver in this particular incident was at fault). This is all a recipe for disaster. And for those advocating for more traffic signals- if you think that there is traffic now, you aint seen nothing. Rural and suburban infrastructure was not built to handle city/ghetto congestion. Spread out. There is plenty of land in N.Y.S.
The chasidic drivers on my block have started driving on the wrong side of the street on purpose. We have begged them to follow laws and they refuse. I predict more of our kinder will be injured due to our negligence.
Unfortunately the area where this girl was crossing needs to have sidewalks and traffic lights. I feel terrible for the family as well as the person driving the vehicle! BD”E