SLATER, HARCKHAM COMMEMORATE JAKE ARCARA AT HIGHWAY DEDICATION CEREMONY

L-R: Yorktown Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman, Yorktown Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli, Assemblyman Slater, Kelly Arcara, Sen. Harckham, and friend of Jake Arcara.

Sen. Pete Harckham (D, WF–40th Senate District) and Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C–Yorktown) joined Kelly Arcara, Yorktown Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman and Yorktown Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli today at a ceremony dedicating a portion of Route 118 in honor of Jake Arcara. Jake, a 28-year-old Yorktown highway department worker, tragically lost his life after being struck by a vehicle in a work zone on Sept. 14, 2022.

The legislators’ bill (S.7706B/A.7843B), signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul in September, designates the section of Route 118 (Saw Mill River Road) between Underhill Avenue and Old Country Way as the “Jake Arcara Worker’s Memorial Highway.”

Kelly Arcara said, “My son was killed while working on a sideroad, not on a highway. This goes to show we need better safety zones in all work zones. Highway work is dangerous… there is a human life at risk. Not only was my son killed, the person who killed him died the night of my son’s wake. Jake would have been 32 years old last week.” 

Slater said, “We’re honored to make this designation official, especially standing alongside Jake’s mother, Kelly. This memorial assures Jake will always be a part of our Yorktown community, and his name will caution every driver to slow down and stay alert to protect the men and women who maintain our roads. The truth is, work-zone tragedies are preventable, and it’s clear that stronger safety laws are urgently needed. I thank Senator Harckham for partnering with me to honor Jake and advance the work-zone safety measures our highway crews deserve.”

Harckham said, “Although Jake was taken from us far too soon, this dedication ensures that his memory will continue to live on. I hope this tribute serves not only as a lasting tribute to Jake Arcara, but also as a reminder of the importance of road safety and the need to strengthen protections to prevent future tragedies. I’m grateful to Assemblyman Slater and Kelly Arcara for their partnership in this effort.”  

Yorktown Town Supervisor Ed Lachterman said, “I am thankful to both Assemblyman Slater and Sen. Harckham for recognizing Jake with this dedication. His life was tragically cut short, but in his years with us he became not only a part of the Yorktown Highway department, but also a part of the fabric of our town. He is missed every day and I hope that this road dedication stands as not only a celebration of what Jake brought to our town, but also as a reminder that work zone safety when driving is not only the law, but can save someone’s life.” 

Yorktown Highway Superintendent Dave Paganelli said, “Some people are only with us for a short time, but the impact they leave lasts a lifetime. Jake Arcara was one of those rare souls — when he walked into a room, the world felt brighter and happier. I want to thank Assemblyman Slater and Senator Harckham for helping us get this dedication for Jake so that his legacy lives on here in the Town of Yorktown.” 

Harckham and Slater noted this dedication is one part of their broader effort to strengthen work-zone safety laws. The lawmakers introduced “Jake’s Law,” which would authorize the Town of Yorktown to install temporary safety cameras in designated work zones and hold speeding motorists financially accountable.