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Friday, May 3, 2024
Vol. 73, No. 18
N E W H Y D E PA R K
BOSWORTH, CURRAN ENDORSE KEISERMAN PAGE 9
HERRICKS RANKED AMONG BEST
BLANK SLATE WINS 8 AWARDS
PAGE 2
PAGE 6
F.P. student in coma after hit-and-run Alexa Kropf, a freshman at University at Albany, struck early Saturday An 18-year-old Floral Park native is in a medically induced coma after being struck by a dirt bike in a hit-and-run incident in Albany just after midnight Saturday, according to Albany police and her father. Alexa Kropf, a freshman at University at Albany, was walking along a road with her friends very early Saturday, according to multiple reports. Multiple witnesses said they saw a man driving a dirt bike down the road at a very fast speed wh ile he weaved in and out of groups of people, police said. It is illegal to operate dirt bikes on any Albany street or sidewalk, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins said in a joint Facebook post. The driver fled the scene after hitting the victim, throwing Kropf in the air before she landed in the road several feet away from where she was struck, police said. Officers found the victim in the road with a serious head injury and a fractured leg, police said. Kropf was treated on scene by EMTs and transferred to Albany Medical Center Hospital, where she was in critical condition, police said.
The investigation remains ongoing as the driver has not yet stepped forward, police said. Sheehan and Hawkins said they are “deeply troubled by the unconscionable depravity shown by the driver” and urged anyone with information to contact law enforcement officials. A GoFundMe designated to raise funds for Kropf’s surgeries and recovery has reached $62,170 of its $70,000 goal, according to the GoFundMe website. “Hi my name is Christine Loper. My best friend Roni Fornabia’s daughter Alexa Kropf was away at college and the victim of a hit and run,” the GoFundMe site description said. “Alexa is going to need multiple surgeries and will have a VERY long recovery…Roni will need to be by her side and will need assistance with medical bills and will be out of work as well.” The accident came just days before Kropf was set to finish her first year at college. “Our thoughts are most immediately with the injured student and her family and friends as she begins what we hope will be a complete recovery,” Jordan Carleo-Evangelist, a University at Albany spokesperson, said in a statement. “It is heartbreaking any time Continued on Page 56
PHOTO COURTESY OF REP. ANTHONY D’ESPOSITO
Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Island Park) condemns student protests with Speaker Mike Johnson at Columbia University. See story on page 3.
Quraishi, Lo race for 1 seat on Herricks ed board B Y T A Y L O R H E R Z L I C H Board of Education, in which seven can- Gupta, Ravinder S. Ratra and Russell M.
didates are vying for two seats. Incumbent Trustee Brian Hassan is Shaheda Quraishi, a Northwell physician and Herricks district gradu- running for re-election and facing chalate, and Eric Lo, a financial adviser, lenger Maria Bono Newcomers Quraishi, Lo, Surendra are running in the race for the Herricks
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Stuart are all running for the seat left vacant by Trustee Nancy Feinstein, who is stepping down from the board after serving as a trustee for 12 years. Continued on Page 57
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