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

Komanoff: Data Show Fewer Trucks in the So. Bronx After Congestion Pricing

Expert Charles Komanoff, using MTA bridge and tunnel data, dispels one of the myths that opponents spread about the Manhattan toll.

September 19, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Mayor’s Mismanagement Report Edition

Revealed: lots more failures of the Adams administration. Plus other news from the perfect day for our editor to test positive for Covid.

September 19, 2025

Friday Video: A Brief Look At What Austin Street Could Be

Check out what a safer, better, more vibrant Austin Street could look like.

September 19, 2025

City Gave Garbage Routes To Companies With Bad Safety Records: Audit

Companies with the most safety violations scored big under Mayor Adams.

September 18, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Across the Pond Edition

Transportation planners in London are using traffic filters to create mini town squares and low-traffic neighborhoods. Plus more news.

September 18, 2025

OPINION: Here’s How to Bring Real Bus Rapid Transit to Flatbush Avenue

It is worth a little extra time and money to get this right.

September 17, 2025
See all posts