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

FDNY Ambulance Driver Kills Gen Zhan, 81, in East Village Crosswalk

An FDNY ambulance driver turning left fatally struck Gen Zhan as he crossed E. 14th Street at Second Avenue. The white arrow represents Zhan’s path, and the red arrow indicates the path of the driver. Image: Google Maps
An FDNY ambulance driver turning left fatally struck Gen Zhan as he crossed E. 14th Street at Second Avenue. The white arrow represents Zhan’s path, and the red arrow indicates the path of the driver. Image: Google Maps
An FDNY ambulance driver turning left fatally struck Gen Zhan as he crossed E. 14th Street at Second Avenue. The white line represents Zhan’s path, and the red arrow indicates the path of the driver. Image: Google Maps

An FDNY ambulance driver struck and killed a senior in the East Village yesterday.

The crash happened at around 1:20 Monday afternoon. Gen Zhan, 81, was in the crosswalk on 14th Street at Second Avenue, walking south to north, when the driver, who was southbound on Second, hit him while turning left onto 14th, according to NYPD.

Photos and video of the scene show the ambulance sitting in the crosswalk on 14th Street, on the east side of the intersection.

Zhan, who lived in Kips Bay, was transported in critical condition and died at Bellevue Hospital, DNAinfo reported.

The driver was identified only as a 22-year-old man who, according to the Daily News, had been on the job "less than a year."

The News said the driver was responding to a "non-priority call" and was not using lights and sirens. NYPD had no information on who had the right of way. Police had issued no summonses and filed no charges as of this afternoon. An NYPD spokesperson told Streetsblog the Collision Investigation Squad is still working the case.

Gen Zhan was killed in the 9th Precinct, and in the City Council district represented by Rosie Mendez.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

ANALYSIS: With ‘State of the Agency’ Celebration, DOT Sends Its Resumé to Mamdani

Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez held an invitation-only valedictory address that misrepresented the agency's accomplishments — and called out reporters just trying to do their jobs.

December 3, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Biden Their Time Edition

All the signs point to not wanting to piss off the president. Plus other news.

December 3, 2025

OPINION: On Fifth Avenue, Pedestrians Must Come First

Business leaders on Fifth Avenue respond to criticisms of Mayor Adams's proposal for the high-end retail corridor.

December 3, 2025

Streetsies 2025: Revisit Our Most-Read Stories of the Year

Let's kick off our year-in-review season with a riddle: What's orange and black and read all over? (Answer: Streetsblog!)

December 3, 2025

Rep. Ritchie Torres, Advocates Call For More Public Comment on Cross Bronx Project

The public was given until just Jan. 9 to weigh in on the 6,000-page document — a 53-day period that includes multiple holidays.

December 2, 2025

Giving Tuesday: Donate and Get Your ‘Official’ Streetsblog Parking Placard Here!

This year, your donation comes with the ultimate city perk: a completely official-looking, yet completely fake, Streetsblog parking placard! Donate today!

December 2, 2025
See all posts