
Former Brooklyn Judge Dawn Jimenez-Salta killed in motorcycle accident on LIE

Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Dawn Marie Jimenez-Salta died in a tragic motorcycle accident on Sunday, court officials confirmed.
Jimenez-Salta, 60, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, served as a judge in both Brooklyn and The Bronx under the name Dawn Jimenez-Salta. She was a respected figure in the New York legal community, known for her conscientious work on the bench and dedication to her family.
Jimenez-Salta was riding as a passenger on a 2007 Harley-Davidson, driven by Frederick Fischer, 65, of Bay Shore, when the motorcycle collided with the rear of a Lexus SUV that had slowed due to traffic on the westbound Long Island Expressway near Exit 68 in Yaphank. The impact caused the Lexus to strike another vehicle, a 2019 Audi SUV, according to Suffolk County police.
Jimenez-Salta was rushed to Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue, where she was pronounced dead. Fischer was transported to Stony Brook University Hospital with serious injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Jimenez-Salta had a long and accomplished career in the judiciary, spanning more than three decades. After earning her law degree from Temple University in 1990, she joined Borah, Goldstein, Altschuler & Schwartz, P.C., where she quickly rose through the ranks to become a partner. In 1999, she was appointed as a judge of the New York City Housing Court and later elected to the Civil Court of Kings County in 2008. In 2014, she was elevated to the Supreme Court of Kings County, where she served until 2022 when she transferred to Nassau County.
Jimenez-Salta’s decision to relocate was deeply personal. Friends say she made the move to Nassau County Supreme Court to create a more manageable balance between her professional responsibilities and her role as a mother. Her daughter, Olivia, was the focus of her life, and Jimenez-Salta’s dedication to her family was well-known among her colleagues and friends.
Holly Peck, past president of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association, worked alongside Jimenez-Salta for over a decade. “I’m stunned,” Peck said. “I worked for her for 12 years, and it is still sinking in. She was a very good judge, very conscientious, and always fair in the way she handled cases. My condolences to her family.”
Jimenez-Salta, who was of Italian and Puerto Rican heritage, remained closely tied to Brooklyn even after her move to Nassau. She was an active member of the Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn, where she had forged many close friendships.

Joe Rosato, immediate past president of the Brooklyn Bar Association and past president of the Columbian Lawyers Association, reflected on her character both in and out of the courtroom. “She was a fine jurist and a wonderful human being,” Rosato said. “Everybody knew her as a fantastic mom to her daughter and a good friend to all of us in the legal community. Our hearts are broken.”
John Dalli, president of the Columbian Lawyers Association, shared similar sentiments. “I am devastated by the news of Judge Jimenez-Salta’s tragic death,” Dalli said. “My wife Cheryl and I had grown close with her, spending time in Fire Island and getting to know her daughter Olivia. Dawn was a smart, hard-working judge, but the most important part of her life was Olivia. She was so proud of her and always involved in her activities, whether it was sports or taking her to Disney. She was a great mom. Our hearts go out to Olivia and her family. We will all miss her dearly.”
Jimenez-Salta’s legal career was marked by her attention to detail and fairness. Her colleagues describe her as a dedicated professional who approached each case with care and integrity. Even in the high-stakes environment of the Supreme Court, she was known for her even-handedness and her ability to navigate complex legal matters with compassion.
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