A 64-year-old, male e-cyclist was killed in a hit and run incident in Morris Park, according to the NYPD.

 

Police said that on Wednesday, April 5, at around 11.22 p.m., responding officers from the 49th Precinct discovered the male e-cyclist lying on the roadway at the intersection of Williamsbridge Road and Pierce Avenue.

 

They said he sustained head trauma and was removed to Jacobi Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.

 

“Further investigation by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad determined that a white, pick-up truck with an unknown make, model or year, driven by an unknown individual, was traveling north along Williamsbridge Road at high speed, and entered the intersection of Pierce Avenue against the steady red traffic signal.

 

“As a result, the vehicle collided with an e-bike which was traveling east along Pierce Avenue crossing Williamsbridge Road, with the green traffic signal,” police said. “As a result of the collision, the e-bicyclist was thrown from the e-bike and ejected, ultimately to the roadway. The vehicle did not remain on scene and continued north along Williamsbridge Road. The investigation remains ongoing.”

The deceased was identified as Hua Pan of Pierce Avenue from the Morris Park section of The Bronx.

 

According to a user of the Citizens’ App, who posted a video of the aftermath of the scene, the e-cyclist in question was on a delivery bike. Gesturing in one particular direction, the user added, “The friggin’ white tow truck came and hit him from one side of the street to the other side, and then that white two truck went flying that way.”

 

She added, “The police actually was chasing the white tow truck. Yeah, I don’t know if they caught ’em, but these guys ain’t tryin’ to say much of nothin’. I gave as much detail as I could. It’s crazy. Yeah, he got hit. He got hit.”

The NYPD handles all criminal aspects of collision investigations, while NYC DOT reviews the street design at the locations of such crashes. Norwood News has contacted the NYPD to ask for corroboration regarding the alleged pursuit by police.

 

Kevin Daloia from Transportation Alternatives in The Bronx reacted to the incident, telling Norwood News, “It’s a shame that the penalty for a deadly hit & run crash is not as punitive as sticking around for a DUI.” He added, “This is the second cyclist killed in The Bronx this year. The other one was not a hit & run. It was Brooke and 142 but we are on pace in New York City with 11 deadly bicycle crashes to surpass any number over the last few years.”

Norwood News previously reported on the high number of deaths in recent years involving e-bike delivery workers in The Bronx, following news that a New Jersey man had been charged with the death of food delivery worker, Victorio Hilario-Guzman, in a separate fatal 2020 hit & run incident.

 

A person charged with a crime is deemed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

As reported, in a separate incident, two people were injured in a two-vehicle collision in Jerome Park on April 4.