Family of Teen Killed in Carriage Accident Seeks Legislative Change

Forty days after the death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan, family members gathered at Central Park’s Cherry Hill Fountain to memorialize the teenager and call for a permanent end to the city's horse-drawn carriage industry. Mahajan died on June 17 after a horse pulling his family’s carriage bolted, leading to a crash that threw passengers from the vehicle.

During the July 27 gathering, the family announced their intention to pursue legal action against the City of New York. Attorney Ali Najmi, representing the Mahajan family, stated that the lawsuit will allege negligent supervision and failure to maintain safe roadway conditions, arguing that such incidents are foreseeable risks within the park.

In response to the tragedy, Manhattan Councilmember Christopher Marte has introduced legislation dubbed "Romanch’s Law," which seeks to phase out the carriage trade. The bill has received support from City Council Speaker Julie Menin, who described the incident as a preventable tragedy. Proponents of the ban argue that the industry poses inherent risks to both animals and the public, citing reports of unattended horses and inadequate working conditions.

Conversely, the industry union, TWU Local 100, has voiced strong opposition to the proposed ban. Representatives for the carriage owners contend that the industry has operated for over 150 years with minimal fatalities and that a total prohibition would jeopardize the livelihoods of approximately 150 workers. Instead, the union advocates for alternative safety measures, such as the installation of hitching posts and enhanced training protocols for drivers.

As the debate over the future of the carriages continues, the Mahajan family expressed a desire to see Romanch’s legacy serve as a catalyst for reform. Family members described the teenager as a selfless individual who was on the cusp of beginning his college education at the time of his death. While the legislative process remains in its early stages, the incident has reignited long-standing tensions regarding the regulation of animal-drawn transport in dense urban environments.