Garbage Truck Operator Kills Cyclist in Bushwick, Keeps Driving
A garbage truck driver hit and killed a cyclist in Bushwick at around 8:50 p.m. last night. According to NYPD, the driver and the cyclist were both traveling on Varick Avenue, when the truck turned onto Meserole Street and struck the cyclist.
By
Noah Kazis
5:41 PM EDT on July 8, 2010
Varick Avenue at the corner of Meserole Street, where a cyclist was killed last night. Photo: Google Street ViewA garbage truck driver hit and killed a cyclist in Bushwick at around 8:50 p.m. last night. According to NYPD, the driver and the cyclist were both traveling on Varick Avenue, when the truck turned onto Meserole Street and struck the cyclist.
Police are still trying to identify the driver, who did not remain at the scene. According to NYPD, the driver was operating an unusually large private garbage truck, and the officer who fielded our call speculated that the driver may not have even noticed he struck the cyclist. NYPD has not decided whether to file charges.
NYPD said the cyclist has not been identified either. The Post reported that he was 51 years old, but family and friends in this post’s comments section say he was 24.
Noah joined Streetsblog as a New York City reporter at the start of 2010. When he was a kid, he collected subway paraphernalia in a Vignelli-map shoebox.
Before coming to Streetsblog, he blogged at TheCityFix DC and worked as a field organizer for the Obama campaign in Toledo, Ohio. Noah graduated from Yale University, where he wrote his senior thesis on the class politics of transportation reform in New York City. He lives in Morningside Heights.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog New York City
THE SHIFT: Mamdani Calls In DSNY — Not NYPD — After Anti-Muslim Delivery Worker Hysteria From The NY Post
The New York Post has provoked several NYPD raids on a delivery worker hangout spot in the East Village — until now.
March 26, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines: The AV Future Edition
Is New York City ready for the driverless future? It's coming either way. Plus other news.
March 26, 2026
Former NYPD Chief Admits Giving ‘Free Pass’ to City Workers, Right Wing Allies
NYPD officers ignore transgressions by drivers if they happen to be listeners of right-wing radio host Sid Rosenberg, according to former Chief of Department John Chell.
March 25, 2026
Mamdani Budget Could Tank Queens Subway Expansion He Once Supported
Mayor Mamdani's budget funds a High Line-like Queens park that could prevent future attempts to revive a deactivated rail line.
March 25, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.