Australian tourist killed when bike hit by garbage truck on Upper West Side
UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- An Australian tourist was killed when the bike she was riding was hit by a private garbage truck on the Upper West Side on Friday.
Police say Madison Jane Lyden, 23, was struck at 70 Central Park West between 66th and 67th Street while she was riding in the bike lane just before 5 p.m.
Officials say a black Toyota livery vehicle pulled out into the bike lane from a stopped position. Lyden then swerved and was struck by a private trash truck traveling northbound on Central Park West.
The drivers of both vehicles remained on the scene.
"A 23-year-old in the bike lane? Of course there has to be a full investigation, but this is an example from my point of view of the danger of reckless driving," said Mayor deBlasio, who was at the scene Friday night.
The driver of the garbage truck is being held at the police precinct. Sources tell Eyewitness News he is being held on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Blood tests were pending.
According to the co-owner of Central Park Sightseeing, Lyden was with another woman on vacation, and rented bikes from City Hall. The two reportedly rode around Lower Manhattan on Thursday, and enjoyed it so much that they decided to tour Central Park and the Upper West Side on a bike on Friday.
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