New Milford man identified as one of the 8 NYC terror victims

<p>A Bergen County man has been identified as one of the eight people killed in a terror attack in New York City Tuesday.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 1, 2017, 4:11 PM

Updated 2,373 days ago

Share:

A Bergen County man has been identified as one of the eight people killed in a terror attack in New York City Tuesday.
The NYPD confirms that Darren Drake, 32, was among the people struck and killed by terror suspect Sayfullo Saipov when he deliberately drove a rented Home Depot truck onto a bike path near the World Trade Center site. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo called it a terrorist attack.
Drake was a program manager at Moody’s Analytics in Manhattan. Friends tell News 12 New Jersey that he had moved out of Hoboken to live with his parents Jimmy and Barbara Drake on Hoffman Avenue in New Milford.
Friends say that Drake biked every day and was biking during his break from work when he was killed.
Drake was a Rutgers University graduate who also had an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He was also in graduate school at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Drake also served on the New Milford Board of Education. Superintendent Michael Polizzi says that Drake was, "a board member in high esteem. Darren was a good man with a soft touch and huge heart. He is respected for his unwavering commitment to the children of New Milford and their education." 
Before he was identified Wednesday, family members posted pictures of Drake and his bike on social media, hoping someone had seen him.
Seven other people were killed in the attack. Those victims include a New York college student, a Belgian mother of two boys and five lifelong friends from Argentina who were in New York celebrating a reunion.


More from News 12
3:16
Students at Stony Brook University take part in pro-Palestinian protest

Students at Stony Brook University take part in pro-Palestinian protest

2:00
Sun and warm temps through end of workweek, rain possible this weekend

Sun and warm temps through end of workweek, rain possible this weekend

0:21
School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

School officials: Cyberattack causes internet, phone outage at Mineola Public Schools

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

1:51
Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

Students like food, not prices, from food trucks brought in by NCC following dining services closure

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

0:27
MTA approves plan to discount monthly LIRR tickets for NYC, excludes Long Island

MTA approves plan to discount monthly LIRR tickets for NYC, excludes Long Island

0:41
Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

Public hearing held on Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's filing for additional parking

1:46
What's Cooking: Steak Taco

What's Cooking: Steak Taco

2:57
Garden Guide: Food you can grow anywhere

Garden Guide: Food you can grow anywhere

Guide: Mental health resources available in the tri-state

Guide: Mental health resources available in the tri-state

1:59
EXCLUSIVE: Father of teen boy killed in Jericho 1 year ago urges governor to sign Grieving Families Act

EXCLUSIVE: Father of teen boy killed in Jericho 1 year ago urges governor to sign Grieving Families Act

1:55
Public hearing held over proposal to bring a walkable downtown to Melville

Public hearing held over proposal to bring a walkable downtown to Melville

2:01
US Preventative Services Task Force updates guidance for women to start getting mammograms at age 40

US Preventative Services Task Force updates guidance for women to start getting mammograms at age 40

0:33
Family: Floral Park teen struck by dirt bike in Albany in critical condition

Family: Floral Park teen struck by dirt bike in Albany in critical condition

0:53
USDA report: Long Island Game Farm giraffe was malnourished before death

USDA report: Long Island Game Farm giraffe was malnourished before death

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments