The northbound No. 4 train was approaching the 161stĀ Street-Yankee Stadium station when the tree came down, injuring the female train operator.
Investigators are searching for a suspect described as a man in his 30s, wearing all black. He fled northbound on foot along the Grand Concourse.
Police say the suspect got off the bus with the victim near Broadway and West 261st Street, then grabbed her and dragged her into a wooded area inside the park, where she was sexually assaulted.
The after-school program has been around for more than a decade - starting with almost no equipment and operating out of a closet. Now, it includes a full production setup, podcasts and student performances.
Police are still searching for a third person who exited the SUV before the confrontation escalated.
Officials say the officers were tracking the silver Kia Sportage on East Fordham Road around 6 p.m. Sunday. The car, with New Jersey plates, was reported stolen on Saturday.