A truck driver killed a pedestrian in Glendale this morning. Police had filed no charges as of this afternoon. It is unclear if the truck was legally allowed to operate on city streets.
At approximately 6:07 a.m., 46-year-old Martin Srodin was crossing 80th Street at Cooper Avenue when the driver of a semi truck ran him over with a rear trailer tire, according to NYPD. Police said Srodin was walking west to east on Cooper as the truck driver, also eastbound on Cooper, was turning left onto 80th Street.
Srodin, who lived a few blocks away from the crash site, suffered trauma to the body, an NYPD spokesperson said. He was declared dead at Elmhurst Hospital.
NYPD did not have information on who had the right of way, and said the Collision Investigation Squad was working the crash. The truck driver, a 64-year-old man, was not immediately charged or summonsed.
There is a left turn lane from eastbound Cooper Avenue at 80th Street, according to a recent Google Maps image, and what appears to be a dedicated left turn signal. If the pedestrian had a walk signal, the driver should by law be charged under Section 19-190, which makes it a misdemeanor for drivers to strike pedestrians and cyclists who have the right of way.
Photos published by the Post show police administering a breath test to the driver at the scene. Photos also indicate the truck has New York plates, but it appears the truck does not have cab-mounted crossover mirrors, which give truck drivers a view of what's directly in front of them. Though it's unclear if the mirrors would have prevented this crash, they are required by law for trucks weighing over 26,000 pounds that are registered in New York State and operated in New York City.
The Post photos don't show the trailer. Trucks longer than 55 feet may operate on surface streets with a permit, but only if carrying "non-divisible loads," such as steel construction beams. In other words, a trailer with boxed or other loose cargo inside would not legally be allowed on surface streets if the total truck length exceeds 55 feet. Nevertheless, such trucks are commonplace on neighborhood streets. Cooper Avenue is a local truck route, according to NYC DOT, but 80th Street is not.
Drivers of semi trucks have killed at least eight New York City pedestrians, including two children, since January 2013, according to crash data compiled by Streetsblog.
This fatal crash occurred in the 104th Precinct. To voice your concerns about neighborhood traffic safety directly to Captain Christopher M. Manson, the commanding officer, go to the next precinct community council meeting. The 104th Precinct council meetings happen on the third Tuesday of the month. See the community council web site for time and location information.
The City Council district where Martin Srodin was killed is represented by Elizabeth Crowley. To encourage Crowley to take action to improve street safety in her district and citywide, contact her at 212-788-7381, ecrowley@council.nyc.gov or @ElizCrowleyNYC.
