CLOSE Darren Drake’s parents, James and Barbara Drake, speak about their son who was one of eight people who died in the Oct. 31 terror attack in New York City. Michael Karas/NorthJersey.com 
 
 Darren Drakes parents, James and Barbara Drake, in their son's room at their home in New Milford on Thursday, November 2, 2017. Darren Drake who was one of eight people who died in this week's terror attack in New York City. (Photo: Michael Karas/Northjersey.com) 
 
 NEW MILFORD, N.J. — The parents of a New Milford man killed in the New York City terrorist attack on Halloween intend to sue the city and multiple departments citing an unsafe environment that contributed to the attack. 
 
 Darren Drake, 32, was one of eight people killed Oct. 31, when authorities say Sayfullo Saipov, a 29-year-old Uzbekistan immigrant from Paterson, N.J., sped down a bike path in lower Manhattan in a truck he rented from The Home Depot. He allegedly knocked down pedestrians and cyclists, including Drake, before ramming a school bus. 
 
 Also Tuesday, Saipov was charged in Manhattan federal court with providing material support to the Islamic State group, along with eight counts of murder and 12 counts of attempted murder in aid of racketeering. Numerous counts carry a potential penalty of death. 
 
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 Drake's parents, James and Barbara, are seeking monetary damages from the City of New York and its Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Transportation, and the Hudson River Park Trust. 
 
 According to the notice to sue issued Tuesday by attorney Rosemarie Arnold, representing the Drake family, the agencies being sued were "grossly negligent" in the operation of the bike path. 
 
 Darren Drake of New Milford was one of eight people who died in last week's terror attack in New York City. (Photo: Michael Karas/NorthJersey.com) 
 
 Officials responsible for the path did not recognize vehicles had "easy access" to the path and did not install barriers that could have blocked entry, according to the intent to sue document. 
 
 "All of the above entities were instrumental in creating and constructing the bike path, which should have been free and clear of vehicular traffic," Arnold stated in an email to The (Bergen County, N.J.) Record. "All of the above mentioned entities were aware that vehicles regularly either mistakenly or purposefully used the bike path but did nothing to curtail that problem. The terrorist, who did a test run of his terror mission, knew in advance that he would have unfettered access to the plaintiff and other victims." 
 
 Messages left for the New York City Comptroller's Office, which handles claims for and against the city, were not immediately returned. 
 
 A 2003 graduate of New Milford High School, Drake lived most of his life in the borough. He was pursuing a second master's degree in technology management from Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, and was a program manager for Moody's Analytics at the World Trade Center. 
 
 "Darren was a highly educated, well-loved, successful 32-year-old man who was a happy, positive person who used biking as a means to stay healthy in mind and body," Arnold stated. "His parents are heartbroken, especially since this terrible tragedy was completely preventable." 
 
 A message left for James Drake on Tuesday night was not returned. 
 
 Darren Drake rode his bike on the lower Manhattan path every day to stay slim, Arnold said. On the morning of the attack he spoke to his mother and was "cranky" because he was too busy at work to take his ride that day, Arnold continued. However, one of his appointments canceled and he was able to ride his bike for an hour — the same time as the attack. 
 
 Barriers were credited with preventing more fatalities and injuries when a car plowed into pedestrians in Times Square in May. 
 
 The New York State Department of Transportation recommends bollards for paths shared by cyclists and pedestrians. 
 
 "Unauthorized motor vehicles are banned from bicycle or shared-use paths," the state's design guide says. "Barriers should be provided." 
 
 However, the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials calls them "ineffective" and says they may hinder access by emergency vehicles and cause serious injuries to cyclists who strike them. 
 
 Follow Joshua Jongsma on Twitter: @jongsmjoon 
 
 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK A Reporter's Ride On Deadly NYC Bike Path | 1:44 Associated Press Reporter Warren Levinson is very familiar with the bike path that was the site of Tuesday's terror attack in New York - he rides it almost everyday. (Nov. 2) AP 1 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Suspect in New York city attack faces federal terrorism charges | 1:08 Sayfullo Saipov is facing two counts related to Tuesday's vehicular homicide attack. Video provided by Newsy Newslook 2 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK NY terror victims remembered in home countries | 1:54 People around the world are remembering the victims of the New York City bike path attack. The loss is deeply felt in Argentina, home of five of the eight people killed, and in Belgium, where one victim was from. (Nov. 1) AP 3 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK New Jersey neighbors of NY attacker shocked | 0:36 New Jersey neighbors of NY attacker shocked Video provided by AFP Newslook 4 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Trump calls for merit-based visas after NYC attack | 1:17 In a Wednesday morning tweet, Trump confirmed the suspect in the New York truck attack entered the states as part of a U.S. diversity visa lottery. Video provided by Newsy Newslook 5 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Officials say NYC terror suspect planned truck attack for weeks | 0:46 Officials say the New York Police Department found a handwritten note that roughly translates to "the Islamic State would endure forever." Video provided by Newsy Newslook 6 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Timeline of New York City terror attacks since 1993 | 2:19 Map of New York City terror attacks since 1993. By Bart Jansen and Ramon Padilla, USA TODAY 7 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Schumer Hits Trump After Tweet on NYC Attack | 2:39 The Senate's top Democrat is hitting back after President Donald Trump faulted him for an immigration program that Trump says allowed the man in the deadly New York City bike path attack to enter the United States. (Nov. 1) AP 8 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK NYC Mayor: New Yorkers are strong in the face of terror | 0:32 Mayor Bill De Blasio says terror won't stop New Yorkers from going on with their day to day lives. USA TODAY 9 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK NY police: Truck attacker planned for weeks | 1:02 Deputy Police Commissioner John Miller says the New York truck attacker had been planning it for weeks, and had "multiple knives" in addition to imitation guns. (Nov. 1) AP 10 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Here's why 'lone wolf' terrorists are emerging | 1:20 Experts say the Internet is helping radicalize 'lone wolf' terrorists and encouraging them to act faster than before. USA TODAY 11 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK N.Y. leaders: 'Cowardly act' failed to terrorize | 2:35 N.Y. Mayor de Blasio describes Tuesday's truck attack as a "cowardly act," while Gov. Cuomo says it failed to terrorize New Yorkers. (Nov. 1) AP 12 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Here's what the Diversity Visa program does | 1:01 After the latest terrorist attack on New York City happened, President Trump has vowed to end the U.S. Diversity Visa program. This is what the program does. USA TODAY 13 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Sayfullo Saipov: What we know about the NYC terror attack suspect | 1:29 Police believe Sayfullo Saipov had planned the NYC terror attack for weeks. Here's what know about the 29-year-old from Uzbekistan. USA TODAY 14 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Witness to NYC attack describes police response | 0:51 John Williams witnessed the aftermath of the Lower Manhattan attack. He describes how police captured one man and searched for another. USA TODAY 15 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Dramatic footage shows school bus hit in NYC terror attack | 0:52 The head of the New York City schools system says two staff members and two students were injured in a school bus that was struck by a motorist who drove a rented truck onto a bike path, killing eight people. (Nov. 1) AP 16 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK New York bike path attack suspect investigated | 1:41 Investigators are trying to determine what led a truck driver to plow down people on a riverfront bike path in New York City. At least eight people were killed and 11 seriously injured. Police critically wounded the suspect, Sayfullo Saipov. (Nov. 1) AP 17 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK NYC Mayor: Attack was a 'cowardly act of terror' | 0:55 New York City's mayor, Bill de Blasio called the attack on a Lower Manhattan bike path a 'cowardly act of terror.' USA TODAY 18 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK NYC attack suspect captured on video | 0:33 A man in a rented pickup truck mowed down pedestrians and cyclists along a busy bike path near the World Trade Center memorial on Tuesday, killing at least eight and seriously injuring 11 in what the mayor called "a particularly cowardly act of terror". (Nov. 1) AP 19 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK NYSE holds moment of silence for NYC attack victims | 0:25 The New York Stock Exchange observed a moment of silence before the market open on Wednesday for the victims of the NYC attack. Video provided by Reuters Newslook 20 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Video shows body, crashed vehicles in NYC attack | 1:11 Video shot above the scene of the fatal attack in New York shows a victim lying in a bicycle path, and two crashed vehicles. (Oct. 31) AP 21 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Police investigating truck attack surround car | 1:02 Police in New Jersey surrounded a car Tuesday night they believe belongs to the suspect in the deadly crash in Lower Manhattan. Police also searched a mosque they believe 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov attended. (Nov. 1) AP 22 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK NYC witness: I could have sworn it was a gun shot | 0:36 One man who witnessed a truck plow into people on a busy Lower Manhattan bike path said when it happened, it sounded like gunshots. New York City's mayor said at least eight people died from attack. USA TODAY 23 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Student says she was minutes from being caught in attack | 0:32 A student describes learning from friends about the New York terror attack minutes after leaving the area. (Oct. 31) Kevin R. Wexler/NorthJersey.com 24 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK At least 8 people dead after van plows into NYC bike path | 0:31 According to New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, at least 8 people have died and several others have been injured after a motorist drove a truck into a Lower Manhattan bike path. USA TODAY 25 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Security tight for New York Halloween parade | 1:14 New York City's Halloween parade went on as scheduled after Tuesday's fatal attack, but security was increased, with extra officers, heavy-weapons teams and sand trucks parked as protective barriers along the route. (Nov. 1) AP 26 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Vehicle attack in Manhattan: What we know now | 0:42 NorthJersey.com's Keldy Ortiz reports the latest on the incident in Lower Manhattan, where multiple deaths and injuries occurred after a vehicle reportedly ran down pedestrians and cyclists on a bike path. 27 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Several dead after vehicle drives on bike path | 1:17 New York City police say there are "several fatalities and numerous people injured" after a motorist drove onto a busy bicycle path and struck several people, then emerged from the vehicle screaming and firing something that appeared to be a gun. (Oct. 31) AP 28 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK Several dead and injured on Manhattan bike path | 2:18 A man in a rented truck drove onto a busy bicycle path near the World Trade Center memorial, killing and injuring at least 15 people, police said. The driver was then shot by police after jumping out with what turned out to be two fake guns. (Oct. 31) AP 29 of 30 Skip in Skip x Embed x Share CLOSE 2017 NEW YORK CITY TRUCK ATTACK New Yorkers celebrate Halloween despite deadly terror attack | 0:43 Families still took their children trick-or-treating in lower Manhattan. And costumed New Yorkers flooded the streets for an annual Halloween parade. Video provided by Newsy Newslook 30 of 30 Last VideoNext Video A Reporter's Ride On Deadly NYC Bike Path 
 
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 Read or Share this story: https://usat.ly/2B0UPH4 ||||| NEW MILFORD -- An attorney for the estate of one of the victims in last month's fatal truck attack in Manhattan filed papers Tuesday announcing plans to sue New York City, the city's parks and transportation departments and the Hudson River Park Trust. . 
 
 Darren Drake, 32, of New Milford, was one of eight people killed Oct. 31 when a pickup truck entered a bike path on the west side of Manhattan at West Houston Street and proceeded south, striking several people before the truck crashed. The driver, 29-year-old Sayfullo Saipov of Paterson, was arrested at the scene. 
 
 Investigators believe Saipov had pledged allegiance to the terrorist group ISIS. 
 
 In the notice of claim, filed on behalf of Drake's parents, Barbara and James, attorney Rosemarie Arnold of Fort Lee said sufficient precautions were not taken to ensure pedestrian and bicyclists' safety from "foreseeable harm." 
 
 The operators of the bike path had an obligation to install signage, barriers and other measures to keep the public safe, the notice states. Vehicles had entered the bike path in the past, which was never addressed, Arnold wrote. 
 
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 "All of the above mentioned entities were aware that vehicles regularly either mistakenly or purposefully used the bike path but did nothing to curtail that problem," Arnold said in an email to NJ Advance Media, adding that Drake was a "well-loved, successful 32-year-old man who was a happy, positive person who used biking as a means to stay healthy in mind and body." 
 
 Darren Drake was elected to the New Milford school board in 2009 and later served as vice president before becoming president in January 2013. He stepped down in June of that year because his company relocated. 
 
 His father James has said his son lived at home and that the family ate dinner together every night, often discussing politics. Drake said he and his son were close and frequently went fishing. 
 
 Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
– The parents of one of eight people killed in New York City's deadliest terrorist attack since 9/11 are planning to sue the city and three agencies for "gross negligence" that put their son at risk. Rosemarie Arnold, an attorney for the parents of 32-year-old Darren Drake, filed a notice to sue on Tuesday, USA Today reports. The notice accused the city and the Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Transportation, and the Hudson River Park Trust of creating an unsafe environment on the bike path that alleged attacker Sayfullo Saipov drove a truck down Oct. 31, killing and injuring cyclists and pedestrians. Arnold wrote that more could have been done to keep people safe from "foreseeable harm." Drake, a Milford, NJ, resident who worked at Moody’s Investors Services in the World Trade Center, was cycling at the time of the attack. Arnold says the agencies responsible for the lower Manhattan bike path failed to install barriers at some entry points, something Saipov would have realized on his test run. "All of the above mentioned entities were aware that vehicles regularly either mistakenly or purposefully used the bike path but did nothing to curtail that problem," Arnold tells NJ Advance Media. She adds that Drake was a "well-loved, successful 32-year-old man ... who used biking as a means to stay healthy in mind and body" and his parents are heartbroken by his death, "especially since this terrible tragedy was completely preventable."