Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Cy Vance

Driver Pleads to Felony in Hit-and-Run Death of Manhattan Pedestrian

Doohee Cho. Photo via Daily News
Doohee Cho. Photo via Daily News
Doohee Cho. Photo via Daily News

A driver who killed a Union Square pedestrian pled guilty to a felony hit-and-run charge this week.

Doohee Cho, 33, was crossing Fifth Avenue between E. 15th and E. 16th streets in the early morning hours of September 28, 2014, when Macgyver Beltran hit him with a Chevrolet sedan, according to published reports.

Police arrested Beltran two days later, after releasing video of him speeding away from the scene in the visibly damaged car. Beltran had taken the car, a rental, to have it repaired, the Post reported.

Beltran, then 25, had an arrest record that included a reckless driving offense, the Post said.

According to court records, Beltran was charged with leaving the scene of an injury crash and evidence tampering, class D and E felonies, respectively. He pled guilty to both charges on Tuesday.

Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance did not charge Beltran for the act of killing Doohee Cho.

The top charge against Beltran -- leaving the scene -- carries penalties ranging from probation to seven years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 26.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Garbage Company Involved in Fatal Crash Will Ply Streets of Eastern Queens, Too

The private garbage company whose truck driver struck and killed a Manhattan pedestrian on Thursday according to police has won the right to pick up trash in a wide swath of Southeast Queens, raising concern for safety there.

May 17, 2024

Friday’s Headlines: Fleet Week Edition

Some good news about the city fleet. Plus other news from a busy day.

May 17, 2024

DOT Proposes Bus Lanes To Speed Up Crosstown Transit In Upper Manhattan

Bus lanes are coming to 96th Street as part of a handful of last minute transit and streetscape changes for congestion pricing.

May 17, 2024

Letter from Sweden: Congestion Pricing is Going to Be Great … With a Few Bumps

Swedes, even drivers, were stunned to hear that a majority of New York-area residents oppose congestion pricing.

May 16, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines: Will Albany Green Light More Red Light Cameras

Ydanis Rodrgiuez lobbies Albany to reauthorize and expand the city's tiny speed camera program. Plus more news.

May 16, 2024
See all posts