NYC bicyclist killed by hit and run dump truck making an illegal U-Turn

A 25 year old cyclist was killed by a garbage truck in New York early Sunday morning. Matt Travis is the 28th person to die in a bicycle accident in New York City this year. Matt was riding South on the Willis Ave Bridge bike path when a dump truck made an illegal U-turn to get on the bridge from a service road (technically 1st Avenue, see map) and fatally struck him. The driver then fled the scene of the accident. The police indicated that they are looking for him but they haven’t released any information yet.

Matt was found by the police lying on the street with severe trauma. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Matt Travis was a rising star pro wrestler and a student at the House of Glorty Wrestling School in Queens. He was recently interviewed by Vice magazine about his passion. Friends and fans have been posting tributes to the young man on social media and at the location of the accident.

Transportation Alternatives also posted the following statement:

“Northern Manhattan lacks the proven life-saving infrastructure that other parts of Manhattan have received in recent years, including protected bike lanes.

This tragic death marks the 28th cyclist killed this year on Mayor de Blasio’s streets. Mayor, New Yorkers are dying on your watch and you have the power to save them. You must prioritize the lives of New Yorkers and act with the urgency that this crisis demands by prioritizing the Green Wave safety plan and Streets Master Plan.

We invite the mayor, elected officials, and all New Yorkers to join us, the United Nations, and cities around the world in commemorating victims of traffic violence at the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday, Nov. 17 at noon, at Bowling Green in Manhattan.”