The cyclist struck and killed by a yellow cab driver in East Harlem late last month has been identified by NYPD as Shaquille Cochrane.
On July 30 at approximately 7:50 p.m., Cochrane was hit at E. 108th Street and Park Avenue. Accounts of the crash vary, but according to NYPD, Cochrane was riding westbound on E. 108th (which is one-way eastbound) when he was struck by the cabbie, who was southbound on Park. Cochrane's age was reported as 19, but NYPD told Streetsblog he was 18.
Streetsblog made the first of several attempts to get the name of the victim on August 2, but the department’s public information office did not know Cochrane had died. Until today, the latest information available from police was that an unidentified cyclist was transported from the scene in critical condition. As of today, a spokesperson said there is "no criminality suspected," meaning the cab driver was not intoxicated and remained at the scene.
This fatal crash occurred in the 23rd Precinct. To voice your concerns about neighborhood traffic safety directly to Deputy Inspector William Pla, the commanding officer, go to the next precinct community council meeting. The 23rd Precinct council meetings happen at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month at the precinct, 164 E. 102 Street. Call the precinct at 212-860-6430 for information.
The City Council district where Shaquille Cochrane was killed is represented by Melissa Mark-Viverito. Though Mark-Viverito is one of the council's strongest voices for street safety, it never hurts to alert an elected to dangerous conditions. Mark-Viverito can be reached at 212-788-6960, mviverito@council.nyc.gov and @MMViverito.
