Enzo Farachio's Parents Weep For Son Lost To Traffic Violence

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — Angel Farachio wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulder, buried his face in her hair and wept. Both stood on the corner where their 10-year-old Enzo Farachio was fatally struck by a Lexus that jumped the curb, and neither could speak.

The mourning parents braved the rain — plus a hoard of reporters with flashing lights and running cameras — to call for better protections for pedestrians just two days after Enzo was killed waiting for a bus on Ocean Avenue and Avenue L Tuesday evening.

"Gracias ... Thank you," Angel told the crowd who gather to memorialized his son. Then he and his wife were swept into the embrace of friends, all of whom cried for Enzo.

City Council Speaker Corey Johnson came to show support for parents he said lost their son because of growing spate of traffic violence threatening the entire city.

"New Yorkers are constantly in danger," Johnson said. "Because our streets prioritize cars over people, Enzo's family is hear grieving."

Brooklyn is at the center of the spike in New York City traffic deaths this year, organizers from Transportation Alternatives and Families For Safe Streets said. The borough has seen a 72 percent increase in deaths in one year and is responsible for almost a third of the city's total pedestrian deaths and two thirds of the city's total cyclist deaths.

Johnson placed the blame on city street planning and told Enzo's parents he'd push forward a master transit plan bill that would put the focus on safe spaces for pedestrians and cyclists.

"In the wake of this horrific soul crushing tragedy that this family, and this community, and this city are reeling from, I promise you tonight that we will pass this bill and we will pass it soon," he said.

The city's Medical Examiner's officer deemed Enzo's death the cause of an accident, and Johnson said the Brooklyn District Attorney is investigating whether the Lexus driver had a medical episode on the road, but Midwood man Naftali Weill pointed the blame somewhere else: a rusty dumpster standing in the street.

"I'm watching day after day as the cars from the right lane are forced to the left lane," the Midwood man said. "No matter how good a driver you are, that's a dangerous condition."

"It happened two days ago and the dumpster is exactly the way it is, at an angle not even straight with the sidewalk."

After city representatives, transportation activists and the families gave their statements, the group decided to march toward the corners where Park where cyclists Jose Alzorriz, 52, and Yisroel Schwartz, 16, were fatally struck by cars at Coney Island Avenue and Avenue L and 17th Avenue and 53rd Street, respectively.

They left behind a small memorial where Brooklynites had lit candles and left small toys, including a bear holding a sign that read, "Enzo Faracio rest in peace."

Friends have set up a $20,000 GoFundMe account for Enzo's mother Mary Majao, which the company has verified, for those who wish to contribute donations to the family.