Search for drivers in 2 deadly hit and run incidents in East Harlem, Bronx
BRONX (WABC) -- Police are searching for the drivers in two fatal hit-and-run incidents in New York City.
Eyewitnesses along Williamsbridge Road say they saw a police cruiser right behind a pick-up truck that wound up hitting a bicyclist before it kept going.
Police apparently attempted to pull over the vehicle for a traffic stop. The driver, police say, kept going and struck the victim. However, police say they did not chase after the vehicle after the failed stop.
Highway patrol was there checking out the bicycle at Williamsbridge and Pierce Avenue around 11:20 p.m. Wednesday.
The 64-year-old bicyclist Hua Pan was pronounced dead at Jacobi Hospital. He was struck while in the crosswalk just steps away from his home.
"It was pretty devastating. The man's wife and I think children came out. They saw him and it was just really bad, it was really bad," said Selma, an eyewitness.
Hours earlier in East Harlem, 62-year-old Oscar Neives was hit and killed by someone in a gray SUV while in the crosswalk at Third Avenue and East 122nd Street.
He was also near his home at the time of the incident.
He was rushed to Harlem Hospital where he died.
The vehicle fled from the scene and was last seen traveling northbound on 3rd Avenue.
No arrests have been made in either case and the investigation is ongoing.
The crashes occurred on Vision Zero Priority Corridors, streets the City of New York knows are dangerous.
Fifty-four New Yorkers have died on city streets so far this year, up more than 10% from the VZ-era average, and more than at this point in seven of the last eight years. Nearly two-thirds of deaths this year have been New Yorkers walking or riding bicycles.
Danny Harris, Executive Director at Transportation Alternatives released a statement saying:
"Today, families, loved ones, and entire communities are mourning three preventable deaths on our streets. We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the three people killed in traffic violence."
"This crisis demands action from our leaders now. We know what works to prevent crashes and save lives in New York City. Yet, the State Assembly is blocking New York City from using life saving tools, like reducing speed limits, to keep New Yorkers safe. Now is not the time for politics: We need to pass Sammy's Law and get Vision Zero back on track in New York City."
"Every day, every hour counts. Albany must act now to save lives across the five boroughs."
Amy Cohen, Co-Founder of Families for Safe Streets and mother of 12-year-old Sammy Cohen Eckstein, also released a statement:
"New York City needs all the tools available to fight the epidemic of traffic violence. We know driving at high speeds is a major factor in four out of every five crashes that kill people in cars, and it's unacceptable that New York City has to defer to Albany on what speeds are appropriate for our streets. This dysfunctional relationship is preventing us from saving lives."
"I am fighting for Sammy's Law in memory of my son and all of my fellow New Yorkers who have lost loved ones or been injured in traffic violence, and we won't rest until New York City is empowered to set the speeds that keep us safe. We are grateful for the Governor's and State Senate's support, and all eyes are on the Assembly to make this happen now."
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