Court documents: Garden City driver charged with DWI identified; residents renew calls for safety measures

Police say Neil O'Malley, 56, was behind the wheel when his car went flying through some bushes and into the parking lot of the Double Day Court Condominiums on Franklin Avenue.

News 12 Staff

Jun 25, 2023, 10:47 AM

Updated 529 days ago

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A Garden City man has been identified as the driver in an alleged DWI crash Friday night that was caught on video.
According to court documents, Neil O'Malley, 56, was behind the wheel when his car went flying through some bushes and into the parking lot of the Double Day Court Condominiums on Franklin Avenue.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m., and O'Malley apparently told investigators that he stepped on the accelerator when he meant to hit the brakes.
O'Malley's blood alcohol content was .15 at the time of the crash, according to authorities. That is nearly twice the legal limit.
Witness Jillienne Jordan says the car narrowly missed two young children who had just parked their scooters in the lot before the crash.
“If it was a minute and a half earlier, it would have had deadly consequences,” she said.
Residents told News 12 the accident is part of an ongoing problem in the neighborhood. They say drivers in the area often speed and run stop signs.
“I find it absolutely terrifying as a resident on this street that has two small children that are often out riding their bikes,” said Patrick Finley.
Finley says a speeding car crashed and landed on his front lawn on Hilton Avenue three years ago. He says the village has conducted numerous traffic safety studies in recent years and installed speed bumps in other parts of the village. He also plans to call on the village to do the same in his neighborhood.
“Since this last incident on Friday, I do think there is an appetite on this street for renewed safety measures,” he said.