For the second time in less than a week, a motorcyclist has struck and killed a NYC pedestrian.
The latest crash happened at around 4:20 Saturday morning, in Washington Heights. Jhonn Carlos Fernandez, 35, was walking with friends when he was struck on Amsterdam Avenue near 167th Street, according to reports. Accounts vary, but DNAinfo and the Daily News say Fernandez was crossing mid-block. He died at the scene. From the Post:
His grieving dad, Robinson, said, “He was a hard-working man who was never late for work.
"He was a good son. He was always happy. He loved to dance. He loved salsa and machata."
Alejandro Cabrerra, 43, a pal of the victim, said, "I’m going to miss his friendship. If he were your friend he would give you his all."
Fernandez’s brother, Martin Fernandez, 43, said, "A part of me is gone," as he burst into tears.
Reports said the motorcyclist, an unidentified man, was one of a group of three riding north on Amsterdam Avenue. He was ejected from the motorcycle and was hospitalized in critical condition. No reports that we've seen made mention of how fast the motorcyclist was traveling when he hit Fernandez. No charges were filed, according to the Daily News.
On August 11, an unidentified male pedestrian was killed by a motorcyclist at Queens Boulevard and 44th Street. Police told the Daily News that the motorcyclist, who was critically injured, was "not considered at fault.” Four motorcyclists have been killed in traffic crashes since last Wednesday, according to DNAinfo.
Jhonn Carlos Fernandez was killed in the 33rd Precinct, in the council district represented by Ydanis Rodriguez.
On Saturday night, an unidentified teenager was seriously injured by the driver of a minivan on Eastern Parkway at Classon Avenue in Crown Heights. Police told the Post the driver was trying to avoid stopping for a red light when he struck the victim, drove onto the median and hit a light pole and a bench.
"The driver mowed the guy down and lost control," said a witness. "I ran right up to the kid, and he was breathing faintly, face down."
The pedestrian was hospitalized in serious condition, the Post said, and no charges were immediately filed.
The Crown Heights crash occurred on the border of the 71st and 77th Precincts, in the City Council district represented by Tish James.
Two police officers were also struck and injured by drivers in separate crashes over the weekend. One driver, who hit the officer during a traffic stop, fled the scene.
