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

Police Chase Linked to Fatal Hit-and-Run in Bronx

Kelvin Mitchell a father of three, was killed by a speeding driver apparently trying to escape police.

Photos: Jonah Schwarz|

A memorial in front of Kelvin Mitchell’s apartment building on E. 168th Street in the Bronx. (Top inset): Mitchell in a family photo. (Bottom inset) Mitchell’s mom is consoled.

A high-speed crash in the Bronx over the weekend appeared to have been preceded by a police chase, according to witnesses and video — an apparent breach of the NYPD's recently adopted policy to reduce high speed chases.

Early on May 10, Kelvin Mitchell, a 43-year-old father of three, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on Webster Avenue between E. 168th and 169th streets. The force of the impact with the black Mercedes sent Mitchell flying high in the air before he was dragged 100 feet from the bodega he had just left.

Just before the crash, a police van was in pursuit of the speeding Mercedes, according to video obtained by Streetsblog. It is unclear if the chase caused the Mercedes driver to speed or whether he was speeding beforehand.

Either way, Mitchell's grieving mom is demanding full punishment for the driver.

“They killed my son," said Nancy Aguilar. "I need justice for my son.” 

Mitchell's family said they were told two contradicting narratives by the NYPD. One was that the Mercedes was being chased for a good bit of time by the police. The second was that the officers inside the van were on patrol and only pursued the Mercedes after seeing it speed down the bus lane. 

Mitchell's sister, Justina Lorrious, is hopeful that the Mercedes can be found because Webster Avenue has a speed camera — which she knows because she often gets tickets, she said.

But if the NYPD was involved in the crash, she said, "they will be liable for my brother's death."

The new NYPD policy on vehicular pursuits allows a chase only for the most serious and violent crimes, such as felonies and violent misdemeanors. The policy also discourages pursuits in residential communities or near schools or playgrounds — where this chase occurred.

The NYPD declined to comment for this story, nor respond to specific questions about whether the police were chasing the Mercedes driver.

Friends and family remembered Mitchell as a cornerstone of the community and a great guy.

“He’s a basketball player, the best basketball player,” said Troy, a friend of Mitchell over 40 years.

Two memorials honor Kelvin Mitchell, one in front of his apartment building nearby and the other in front of the bodega where he spent his final safe moments.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

BREAKING: Mayor Adams to Remove Bedford Avenue Protected Bike Lane Citing, Bizarrely, Safety

A protected bike lane that was installed last year to calm a notoriously dangerous Brooklyn corridor will be removed by the Adams administration, making the roadway less safe.

June 13, 2025

Senate Votes to Require Delivery Apps to Provide Insurance for Workers

Speed limits are fine, but what will really help crash victims is insurance.

June 13, 2025

Friday’s Video: A Recap on Mayor Adams’s ‘War on Cyclists’

Here's a nice synopsis by Emily Lipstein of how we got from a proposed "Department of Sustainable Delivery" to a criminal crackdown on bike riders.

June 13, 2025

Round and Round: No Plan for Protected Bike Lane Through 79th Street Rotunda

The Parks and Transportation departments plan to toss Hudson River greenway cyclists into the mix with highway-bound cars on the 79th Street Rotunda despite the pleas of the local community board.

June 13, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: E-Bike Trade Show Edition

So let us get this straight: The Adams administration is at once cracking down e-bikes, but also giving workers safe e-bikes at the same time? Plus other news.

June 13, 2025

KOMANOFF: A Philosopher Of Cycling Takes On E-Bike Speeds (Well, Sort Of)

The late Ivan Illich would have sought to limit them — among other things, says our columnist.

June 12, 2025
See all posts