Pedestrian fatally struck by e-bike in Queens, NYC

A pedestrian died after being struck by a e-bike rider in New York City last Friday night. 54 year old Kelly William, a Queens real estate professional, was taking a walk with a friend in her neighborhood. The young woman and her friend were in the crosswalk  at the intersection of 21st Avenue and 31st Street in Astoria when a delivery man on a e-bike struck Kelly.

The pedestrian died from head injuries

She fell on the ground and suffered serious head injury.  According to her mother, her skull was fractured at several locations. She was rushed to the hospital where she succumbed to her injuries the following day. Kelly’s family was devastated by the accident. Her 78 year old mother told the NY Daily News that her daughter was a very energetic and lovely person who left her corporates career to create her own brokerage company, Kelly NYC LLC.

Fatal accidents between cyclists and pedestrians are rare in New York City

Cyclists and e-cyclists must observe regulations similar to motor vehicle drivers and must yield to pedestrians. In the busy streets of New York, the sight of cyclists zipping through pedestrians is quite common however fatal accidents between pedestrians and cyclists are rare. A few of them occur every year in New York City.

Speed and recklessness are often a factor when a pedestrian is fatally hit by a cyclist. Our firm is well versed with these types of cases and recently represented the family of 67 year old Donna Sturm who was struck by a cyclist who ran a red light and struck her. Donna spent two weeks in the hospital fighting for her life before she died from her injuries (see our previous blog). The cyclist was initially issued a summons and later on criminally charged with second degree reckless endangerment.

Picture of the Astoria intersection where the e-bike hit the pedestrian: courtesy of google Map