The four year legal battle over a wrongful death suit between Sean Bell’s family, would-be bride, and friends and the city of New York ended last month with a $7 million settlement.

Bell and two of his friends were leaving Club Kalua strip club in Queens on November 25th, 2006 from Bell’s bachelor party when they were shot by undercover NYPD cops.  Bell accidentally tapped an undercover officer with his car while leaving the club and the undercover police men began firing 50 shots into the car.  Bell was killed in the incident, 35-year old Joseph Guzman was shot 11 times, and 27-year old Travis Benefield was shot 3 times.

In the settlement, Bell’s family estate was awarded $3.25 million, Guzman was awarded $3 million, and Benefield was awarded $900,000.

76-year old Robert Borchers was wrongfully killed in a tragic pedestrian accident Friday morning on Queens Boulevard.  The accident occurred early Friday around 5:30 AM in Kew Gardens when a marked Correction Department vehicle traveling southbound struck Borchers as he was crossing the street.

Emergency officials quickly transported Borchers to Jamaica Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police officers claim that Borchers did not have the right of way when he crossed the street.  However, witnesses to the accident told investigators that he did.  A recent investigation by the Daily News into whether or not certain traffic lights provide enough time for seniors to cross the street has some wondering whether or not the light at Queens Boulevard does.  Between 1993 and 2000, 72 pedestrians were killed crossing Queens Blvd..

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Borchers’ family and friends during this difficult time.