‘Wife’ of Bus Driver Killed in DUI Asks ‘Maximum Penalty’ for Defendant

The companion of a New York City bus driver, who was killed in a drunk-driving incident involving a stolen delivery van in 2014, announced that the young man who drove the vehicle deserves “maximum penalty” at a press conference on Thursday.

“William died unnecessarily and for that I would like the maximum penalty,” said Nancy Rodriquez whom supporters described as the common-law wife of the victim, William Pena, “and I wouldn’t want anything less than that. We’re here, once again, after two years of fighting for the justice of [him], but also for the safety of all MTA bus drivers.”

The press conference was staged in front of the gray stone Manhattan Criminal Court building before a scheduled hearing in the case at which it was feared that the defendant, Dominick Whilby, would be offered a plea deal. However the case was adjourned to March 31.

Pena, 49, died on the morning of Feb. 12, 2014 when his vehicle was struck by a stolen granola truck driven by then-22-year-old Dominic Whilby who attempted to drive himself home after a night of drinking with his uncle, the male model Tyson Beckford, at 1Oak, a popular nightclub in the Meatpacking District.

The MTA bus driver was ejected from an M14 bus at the intersection of West 14th St. and Seventh Ave. where the crash took place at around 5:30 a.m. Police said that both the stolen van and bus headed into scaffolding. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Whilby was granted bail of $500,000 bond or $250,000 in cash, after serving 17 months in jail.

Photo shows Nancy Rodriguez with supporters and attorney Sanford Rubenstein