Sonya Gayle Powell, 42, Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident by Ex-Con Sheldon Reid, With Four License Suspensions

Black Friday wasn't totally incident-free. In fact, Sonya Gayle Powell, 42, was killed in a hit-and-run accident while crossing Baychester Avenue in the Bronx, as she returned from Christmas shopping on Friday. She was mowed down by an ex-con, Sheldon Reid, who has four license suspensions. Reid pleaded not guilty at his arraignment hearing Saturday night and is being held on $20,000 cash or bond. I am stunned that his bond is so low in light of the fact that he is no stranger to the penal system. This coward served two years for shooting a man twice in the chest in 2004 and finished his parole in March of this year. We must press for tougher sentences for repeat offenders. His license should have been revoked for the multiple suspensions.

Reid is charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving a fatality and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. There's more. The Department of Motor Vehicles records show that his license was suspended Monday for defaulting on a summons payment. According to the NY Post, it was also suspended in March for the same reason and on February 24, 2007, for an incident involving injuries and property damage. He was stripped of his license in September 2008, for failing to pay a ticket after being caught going 80 mph in a 50 mph zone. When will judges stop giving these criminals a slap on the wrist for driving with multiple traffic violations? His license should be revoked and because he has a criminal record, he should have been held without bail.

I used to live in the Baychester section of the Bronx and I remember that was an extremely busy street and a dangerous place for pedestrians to cross. If I recall correctly, the traffic lights were far apart on this long thoroughfare. Powell was pronounced dead at Jacobi Hospital. Reid was arrested two hours later at his home. We must press for tougher sentences for repeat offenders. This woman's life is certainly worth more than a $20,000 bond, especially since the perpetrator fled the scene of the accident, drove with a suspended license and has a rap sheet.

Photo credit: Sonya Gayle Powell, NY Post