Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Carnage

Cyclist Killed Near Rockaway Beach, Second Bike Fatality This Week

A motorist hit and killed 70-year-old cyclist Andrzei Wiesniuk near Rockaway Beach last night, according to a report in the Daily News. The driver, Jonathan Rincon, was arrested for driving with a suspended license.

Wiesniuk was riding north on Cross Bay Parkway near Beach Channel Drive, the News reported, when he turned to try and cross into the southbound bike lane.

Wiesniuk is the fourth cyclist killed in a traffic crash in the past month and the second this week. In addition to the unidentified cyclist killed by a truck driver in East Williamsburg on Monday, Marilyn Dershowitz was killed by a mail truck as she tried to reach the Hudson River Greenway, and Ray Deter was killed on Canal Street by a Jaguar driver in possession of marijuana. In none of those three crashes did law enforcement bring any serious charges against the motorists.

Even before news of Wiesniuk's death had been reported, traffic safety advocates had noted the harrowing number of cyclists killed in such a short time. “These tragic deaths might have been prevented if these streets had safe space for everyone,” said Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. “Streets with bike lanes see 40 percent fewer crashes ending in death or serious injury."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Friday Video: The ‘Clear’ Benefits of Daylighting

The doyen of daylighting is back with a new video.

May 16, 2025

How One Anti-Gov’t Republican Signed onto a Street Safety Bill to Rein in Reckless Drivers

State Sen. Anthony Palumbo went from "government overreach" to reaching across the aisle in a single day.

May 16, 2025

‘All in the Family’: NYPD Commissioner and Power-Broker Mom Are Both Crusading Against E-Bikes

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch has justified her criminal crackdown on cycling by saying that complaints about cyclists are the most frequent concerns she hears. Such complaints could be coming from inside the house.

May 16, 2025

Puddles Plague Hudson River Greenway As Rain Batters NYC

Greenway cyclists face dangerous conditions when it rains — as Streetsblog observed this week in Manhattan.

May 16, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: East Flatbush Tragedy Edition

As the NYPD cracks down on cyclists, drivers are still killing seniors. Plus other news (including our big award win!).

May 16, 2025
See all posts