NYPD Van Jumps Curb, Kills Chinatown Pedestrian
A police van struck and killed a pedestrian in Chinatown this morning.
By
Brad Aaron
3:26 PM EDT on July 1, 2011
A police van struck and killed a pedestrian in Chinatown this morning.
Reports say the driver of the NYPD Auxiliary van jumped a curb on Elizabeth Street near the 5th Precinct stationhouse at around 11 a.m., striking a 55-year-old man on the sidewalk. He was later pronounced dead at New York Downtown Hospital. Two officers in the van were reported injured.
According to FDNY, two other vehicles were involved in the crash, which is under investigation. NYPD was unable to comment as of this writing.
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.
More from Streetsblog New York City
Lower Manhattanites Call for Parking Placard Purge
"Such a system cannot be repaired — it must be replaced": Lower Manhattan won't get safe streets until Mayor Mamdani confronts the placard class, locals say.
November 10, 2026
‘Sociopaths’ Illegally Blow Safety Redesign Outside Greenpoint School
The newly redesigned low-traffic intersection is mostly successful — except for some "sociopaths," as one local calls them.
November 10, 2026
Tuesday’s Headlines: Power Broker Edition
Read Robert Caro's tome with our editor. Plus other news.
November 10, 2026
Winter Is Coming: Will Mamdani Do A Better Job For Bus Riders And Citi Bikers This Year?
Talk about a winter wonder-land — Mayor Mamdani's big snow announcement raises a lot more transportation questions than it answers.
November 9, 2026
Mamdani Needs a Miracle on 34th Street Amid Mystery Delay
Mayor Mamdani "advanced" the 34th Street busway in June, but work on the redesign has yet to get underway as the end of painting season draws closer.
November 9, 2026
