In Pena Case, Atty Rubenstein Files Civil Suit Against Establishments that Served Whilby

FEBRUARY 12 -- One year to the day after drunk driver Domonic Whilby drove a bread truck full on into a city bus driven by Bus Operator Willie Pena, killing him, attorney Sanford Rubenstein, acting on behalf of Willie's widow, Nancy Rodriguez, and his daughter, Gabrielle, served fancy club 1Oak, the Dream Hotel, and two trucking companies with a 303 count civil lawsuit for damages. Bus Operator Willie Pena, a career NYCT Bus Driver and TWU Local 100 member, was proceeding down 14th Street in the early morning when Whilby's truck came flying down 7th Avenue. Pena, who drove out of the Quill Depot and had 17 years on the job, was pronounced dead at the scene. Whilby, who was partying with his uncle, actor/model Tyson Beckford, and model Shanina Shaik, was not cut off by bartenders when he should have been, the suit says. Additionally, the trucking firm failed to secure the idling bread truck, enabling the drunken Whilby to steal it and and go on his fatal joyride. Whilby is currently at Riker's awaiting trial on a raft of charges including Murder in the Second Degree. At the press conference, TWU Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Earl Phillips spoke of the sadness of the union family at the one year mark and of our determination to stay the course until justice is served. Nancy spoke movingly to the assembled press corps about the void in her and her daughter's lives now that Willie is gone.