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

4:10 PM EDT on May 8, 2019

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

Maximum Rage: Delivery Workers Protest Low Wages, App ‘Lockouts’

Couriers with bikes and signs urge the city to step in as Uber Eats, GrubHub and DoorDash withhold work, they say.

March 28, 2024

The Toll of History: MTA Board Approves $15 Congestion Pricing Fee

New York City's congestion pricing tolls are one historic step closer to reality after Wednesday's 11-1 MTA board vote. Next step: all those pesky lawsuits.

March 28, 2024

Company That Fought McGuinness Safety Project Wants to Seize Bklyn Street for Private Backlot

Broadway Stages to Greenpoint residents: "Street safety for me, not for thee."

March 28, 2024

SEE IT: Hit-and-Run Driver With Fake Plate Seriously Injures Cyclist

The 5 p.m. crash occurred at Flushing and Waverly avenue near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

March 28, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines: Shakira Shakira Edition

Pop superstar Shakira performed for a crowd of 40,000 packed into the Times Square pedestrian plazas. Plus congestion pricing news and more.

March 28, 2024
See all posts