Man Tries to Dodge Lawsuit After Killing Child

A taxi driver who ran over a 9-year-old boy and his father while they crossed an Upper West Side crosswalk is claiming he was not legally served court papers, a technicality that could free him from facing a wrongful death suit filed by the boy’s parents.

Taxi driver Koffi Komlani struck Cooper Stock and his father, Dr. Richard Stock, as he was turning left onto 97th and West End Avenue.

Cooper’s parents say that lax driving laws allow Komlani to evade criminal charges. As it stands, Komlani may only receive a $500 fine.

Although the boy’s parents expect to get no more than $50,000 if they win their wrongful death lawsuit, they filed the case because they want Komlani to be held accountable for his negligence.

If the wrongful death case makes it to court, the plaintiffs’ attorney will show a “heart-wrenching” video of the immediate aftermath of the accident, specifically where Stock attempts to pick up his son’s body and screams for help.

Currently, Komlani’s license is suspended but the boy’s mother is afraid the DMV will allow the taxi driver to resume his cab-driving duties unless they can find he was “grossly negligent” in operating his vehicle. You can read the full story here.