Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Staten Island

Another Pedestrian is Killed by a Driver on Staten Island

The Google street view shows that there is no signal at the intersection of Justin and South Railroad avenues in Staten Island.

A pedestrian was run down and killed by a driver in Staten Island at a four-way stop at a Staten Island Railway station, police said.

According to cops, John Vlahos, 78, was hit as he crossed South Railroad Avenue at Justin Avenue at around 4 p.m. Monday by a 35-year-old driver who was traveling southbound on South Railroad. He was taken to Staten Island North Hospital, where he died.

The driver, whose name was not released, remained on the scene and was not charged.

Many details are unclear. Cops said Vlahos was crossing from the north sidewalk to the south sidewalk of South Railway Avenue — except that there is no south sidewalk on that part of the avenue. Vlahos may have been crossing the street to get to one of the parked cars that line that roadway. Or he may have been heading to the Bay Terrace station of the island's mini-train system.

South Railroad is a notorious speedway, Staten Islanders tell Streetsblog.

Vlahos is the first person killed at the intersection. Two pedestrians have been injured at that intersection since January, 2017. In the larger 122nd Precinct, there were 5,370 crashes last year, resulting in injuries to nine cyclists, 164 pedestrians and 1,068 motorists. That's roughly 15 crashes per day.

This is the third known pedestrian fatality this year in Staten Island. In March, Daniel Dunn, 17, hit Salvatore Pierro, 71, on Annadale Road, police said. And in April, Anastasia Diaz, 89, was run down in the crosswalk as she crossed Bradley Avenue at Purdy Avenue. Both drivers were charged.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts