BY THE VILLAGE SUN | Updated Sept. 17, 4:30 a.m.: Two pedestrians were struck down and killed on the streets in Chinatown last week within three days of each other — one by a cyclist (possibly riding an electric CitiBike) and one by a car.
According to police, on Tues., Sept. 5, around 10:27 a.m., officers responded to a 911 call of a pedestrian struck at the busy intersection of Grand and Chrystie Streets, within the 5th Precinct. Further investigation conducted by the New York Police Department’s Highway District Collision Investigation Squad determined that a 69-year-old female was standing in a crosswalk on the northeast corner of Grand and Chrystie when she was struck by a bicyclist that was traveling northbound on Chrystie Street.
The impact threw the pedestrian — who was identified as Priscilla Loke of Queens — to the ground and she sustained severe head trauma. An E.M.S. ambulance responded and transported the woman to NYC Health and Hospitals/Bellevue, where she was pronounced dead two days later. Police said the cyclist fled the scene and is being sought.
A police spokesperson said she did not immediately have information on whether the cyclist was a delivery person or not since the cyclist left the scene and that this is part of the investigation.
However, in a video posted by CBS2 News, it looks like the cyclist was not a delivery person and was riding a heavy white electric CitiBike. The rider is seen slinking away, walking off with his e-bike, as a responding police officer stands right nearby him.
On Fri., Sept. 8, around 10:52 a.m., police responded to a 911 call of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle at Canal and Allen Streets, also within the 5th Precinct. Upon arrival, officers observed an 88-year-old female, unconscious and unresponsive with head and body trauma. E.M.S. transported her to NYC Health and Hospitals/Bellevue where she was pronounced dead.
An investigation Collision Investigation Squad determined that the pedestrian — identified as Ngan Yung of 13 Allen St. — was crossing the intersection from the southwest corner to the southeast corner, when she was struck by an Access-A-Ride van, which was making a right turn from eastbound Canal Street onto southbound Allen Street. The vehicle operator remained on scene. The incident is under investigation by the Collision Investigation Squad.
Later that same day at around 3 p.m., Michael Broughton, 43, of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, was arrested at the 5th Precinct and charged with failure to yield and failure to use due care.
More needs to be done to bring lawfulness back to our city streets! Another big problem overlooked is motor scooters crossing the Williamsburg Bridge at high speeds, which can easily kill a pedestrian! The cops are out there sometimes, but not nearly enough. I understand. They are busy with other things to do, so why don’t they just install cameras and ticket these offenders? The city will make some good revenue ticketing these assholes.
Many of the mopeds and scooters do not have license plates, so how would cameras work?
It seems the police are very good at cleanup but not so good at upholding the law. As a matter of fact, city gov. has made it legal for these e-bikes to ride on the sidewalk recently. I’m sorry, the easiest thing to do is pedal a bike. Motorized vehicles do not belong with human-powered bikes and pedestrians. They belong with the motorized traffic. The misconception is that even the CityBike only goes 20MPH, which is a ball faced lie. But lying seems to be the flavor of choice for the new millennium. Manifest Destiny.
Very sad report. The city streets and sidewalks with all the cyclists and scooters is very dangerous. We all have stories. Bicycles and scooters should be licensed and riders should have to study and be made to take a road test before obtaining “ the right to ride.” Stand on any street or avenue across the City and just observe the roadway… it’s insane the risks that those who have adopted these forms of transportation choose to take and at great speeds; placing pedestrians and vehicles at risk. Enough! Politicians, it’s time to address this lawless atmosphere and make our streets and SIDEWALKS safe. There must be real consequences for those who ignore the rules of the road and commonsense curtesy. No more “thoughts and prayers”! Take action now!
Were these electric?