Cyclist Struck in the Bronx Today Is Second Fatality in Past Two Weeks
A cyclist was struck and killed by a driver this morning in the Bronx, and EV Grieve reports that a restaurant worker who was hit by a motorist last week while biking in Brooklyn died from his injuries.
Today’s crash occurred in Claremont. NYPD and published reports say Walter Ayala, 36, was traveling west on St. Paul’s Place when he was struck by the driver of a Toyota headed north on Third Avenue. Ayala died at the scene.
NYPD told Streetsblog it appears Ayala ran a red light and the motorist had the right of way. NYPD didn’t specify how the agency determined who had the right of way, and provided no information about driver speed. A spokesperson said no summonses were issued and the investigation is ongoing.
Walter Ayala was killed in the 42nd Precinct, in the City Council district represented by termed-out Helen Foster.
In the earlier crash, a cyclist identified as Cesar was biking home from his job at Stromboli Pizza in the East Village sometime on the night of October 20 when according to DNAinfo the driver of a GMC truck hit him at the corner of Smith and Schermerhorn Streets in Downtown Brooklyn.
DNAinfo reported the next day that the cyclist was making a left turn from Smith to Schermerhorn when he was struck by the northbound driver, and that he was hospitalized in serious but stable condition.
Via Gothamist, EV Grieve wrote today that the cyclist, who was identified by a reader, died as a result of the crash:
“Apparently he was on a bicycle going home to Brooklyn after work and was hit by a truck and died from his injuries in the hospital after being in a coma for a few days,” Aizaz says.
He leaves behind a wife and three children.
Says Aizaz, “Cesar had a lot of charm and a very positive attitude about everything we ever chatted about.”
Stromboli Pizza is taking donations for the family.
No other details were reported pertaining to what caused this crash. The DNAinfo story from October 21 said the motorist “was not expected to be charged.”
The crash that killed Cesar occurred in the 84th Precinct, in the council district represented by Steve Levin.
