We Are Forever Grateful to You Donnette Sanz

Got this in my in-box last night and felt that I needed to share:

Pregnant Traffic Agent Killed by Motorist
Funeral Scheduled for Monday August 25, 2008

CWA Local 1182 member Donnette Sanz, 33, a pregnant New York City Traffic Agent on duty, was hit by a 1986 Dodge van at the corner of 188th Street and Webster Avenue in the Bronx. The van pushed Agent Sanz into the path of a school bus, which also struck her causing her to die. She was brought to St. Barnabas Hospital, where doctors were able to save the life of her baby.

What: Funeral for CWA Local 1182 Member Traffic Enforcement Agent Donnette Sanz
When: Viewing: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Funeral Service: 11:00 AM
Where: Community Protestant Church, 1659 East Gunhill Road, Bronx NY

Statement by CWA Local 1182 President James Huntley:

"Officer Sanz was a dedicated member of CWA Local 1182 and served the city with distinction. As a union and community activist she devoted her life to making New York City a better place to live for all of us. This catastrophe points out the danger that traffic and sanitation enforcement agents face every day while performing their important duties.

I must commend those that came to the rescue of Donnette by lifting a school bus and pulling Officer Sanz from under the vehicle. These Bronx residents put their lives in danger to save another New Yorker and are true heroes". As the Mayor said, it's unfortunate that it can take a tragedy like this to remind everyone of the service our traffic agents perform every single day.

Donnette's son's birthday will now coincide with the day his mother died. I hope that as this child grows up, he comes to understand that his mother gave her life in service to our city and that we are forever grateful.

Officer Sanz was crossing Webster Ave. at E. 188th St. on her lunch break about 2 p.m. when she was struck by a van. She died during surgery shortly after she was run down on a Bronx street by an ex-con with a long history of license suspensions. He had been arrested twice for driving with a suspended license. Officer Sanz was pronounced dead shortly after her sons extraordinary birth. The child, named Sean Michael is in critical condition but healthy and expected to live.

For additional information or directions to the funeral contact CWA Local 1182 at 718-418-0897

Contact:
CWA Local 1182 President James Huntley: 917-418-0897,
Civil Service Merit Council President Neal Tepel: 646-591-6484

Our thoughts are with the Sanz family in these happiest of times and saddest of all times. I can't imagine how hard it must be to celebrate the birth of a child only to bury his mother. Blessed Be.