A Brooklyn family is preparing to pursue legal action following a deadly crash that claimed the life of a 78-year-old man in Gravesend earlier this month.
The collision occurred on March 10 at the intersection of Avenue S, involving an FDNY Ladder 149 truck, an Access-A-Ride bus, and a white commercial van. Surveillance footage from a nearby home shows the Access-A-Ride vehicle stopped at the intersection as the firetruck approached. The truck entered the intersection against a red light at the same time the van moved through on a green signal, triggering a violent crash. The impact sent the firetruck into the paratransit bus moments later.
Placido “Butch” D’Andrea, a passenger on the Access-A-Ride bus who used a wheelchair, was fatally injured. His wife, who was traveling with him, was hospitalized for more than a week before being released.
The family’s attorney, Michael Iakovou, said a thorough investigation is underway to determine responsibility. Key questions include whether the white van should have yielded despite having a green light, whether the Access-A-Ride staff properly secured D’Andrea in his wheelchair, and whether the firetruck exercised the required level of caution when proceeding through a red light during an emergency response.
Under state law, emergency vehicles may pass through red lights, but only with due regard for public safety. The family’s legal team is also examining whether the firetruck’s lights and sirens were activated with sufficient warning before entering the intersection.
“There appear to be multiple factors that contributed to this tragedy,” Iakovou said, noting concerns about the timing and use of emergency signals.
The fire department has confirmed that the ladder truck was responding to a call to relocate to a nearby firehouse at the time of the crash. An internal investigation remains ongoing. Transit officials have deferred further comment pending the results of that review.
The crash site sits just half a block from the D’Andrea family home. Their daughter, Laurie Tesauro, said she rushed outside after hearing the impact, only to discover her parents involved in the wreckage.
Her mother’s final exchange with her father remains etched in her memory. As emergency crews worked around them, she asked if he was okay. He replied softly, “No.” Those were the last words he spoke.
The couple had been nearing their 54th wedding anniversary.
As the investigation continues, the family says their focus is on seeking accountability and ensuring clearer answers about how a routine trip so close to home ended in irreversible loss.
