Governor Cuomo Orders Speed Reduction Along the 198 Following Deadly Weekend Accident

Governor Andrew Cuomo took immediate action to reduce the speed along the Scajaquada Expressway following a deadly accident near Delaware Park.

A mom and her two young children were struck when a car jumped the curb while driving along the 198 on Saturday afternoon. The accident claimed the life of three-year-old Makstm Sugorovskiy, and left his five-year-old sister, Stephanie, in critical condition.

Gov. Cuomo immediately sent a letter to NYS Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald on Sunday ordering the speed limit on Rt. 198 to be lowered.

He wrote,

Dear Commissioner McDonald:

I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic car crash in Buffalo on Saturday that claimed the life of a young child and severely injured another.

While law enforcement agencies are still investigating the circumstances surrounding this terrible crash, it is clear that immediate action needs to be taken to improve safety for motorists and pedestrians on the portion of the Scajaquada Expressway that passes through Delaware Park.

For this reason, I direct you to immediately lower the speed limit on this section of the roadway to 30 mph, install speed messaging boards, and construct park-appropriate guard rails to protect pedestrians.

These actions are to be taken as ýthe Department of Transportation continues to investigate long-term solutions to prevent further tragedies on this part of the Expressway.

This administration will continue to take every available action we can through engineering, education and enforcement to avoid crashes like this in the future.

In addition to the speed change along the Scajaquada Expressway, a Go Fund Me page has also been set up to help and support the family.

This tragedy immediately sparked a new Facebook group called "Parents For A Safe Delaware Park" who will hold a Vigil for the Sugorovskiy Family at 7:00P.M. on Tuesday, near the crash site.