Harry Wieder. Photo: DNAInfoFrom news site DNAInfo:
The victim, Harry Wieder, 57, was crossing Essex Street between E.Houston and Stanton streets around 9:45 p.m. when he was hit by a taxiheading north on the block, police said.
Wieder, a longtime advocate for disability, transportation and LGBTissues, had been leaving a Community Board 3 meeting at PS 20 when theincident occurred, colleagues said.
Wieder was a member of the transportation committee of CB 3. A dwarf who had difficulty walking, he was known as an advocate for people with disabilities.
An email sent out by board chair Dominic Pisciotta last night reports that Wieder was surrounded by CB 3 members at the scene. According to DNAInfo, police "suspect no criminality" but the investigation is open.
The Essex/Delancey area is one of the most dangerous in the city. Earlier this month a man was killed while crossing Delancey at Essex. According to CrashStat, 86 pedestrians and 24 cyclists were injured at the intersection from 1995 to 2005.
