Surveillance video shows the SUV heading east on 14th Street "before swinging an illegal left turn onto Union Square East" around 1 a.m., the Post reports. The video shows the vehicle continuing on after momentarily slowing down.
The 34-year-old victim suffered trauma to his body, and is in critical condition at Bellevue, according to NY1.
Here's the video via Town & Village...
Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online.
Updated 5:30 p.m.
The pedestrian, Brooklyn resident Adrian Blanc, died from his injuries. He was walking within the crosswalk, police said.
Updated 11/16
Blanc was the executive chef at Hill & Bay, the restaurant on Second Avenue across from the Kips Bay theater.
Eater has statement from Hill & Bay's parent company: "Adrian was immensely talented. He was a dedicated worker and devoted family member. He was incredibly kind and loving. He had a heart of gold and he genuinely cared about all of his co-workers."
Blanc was set to be married in December.
Police found the Jeep Renegade — which was a Zipcar rental — but the driver is still at large.
Such a tragedy. This is a highly deadly area for pedestrians. They still haven’t done anything about the city dump truck that killed a young woman awhile back on the south east corner of Union Square. Yet every day there are thousands of people jaywalking in between the oncoming busses and dodging the two way traffic on 14th Street like they are playing the human version of Frogger.
ReplyDeleteSo, so sad. Could happen to anyone.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry and hope the police and DA Vance leave no stone unturned to find the driver and prosecute the hell out of him/her.
ReplyDeleteeven if they find him he will pay $250 and go home
ReplyDeletehttps://nyc.streetsblog.org/2017/11/14/six-month-license-suspension-for-truck-driver-who-killed-tourist-in-manhattan-crosswalk/
Fucking hell that is awful!
ReplyDeleteTruly shocking to watch, someone standing on the sidewalk is just plowed into as if it were intentional. This driver needs to be put away for a long time. I hope the victim survives and can recover from this someday.
ReplyDeleteUpdate: the police found the Jeep, it was a Zipcar rental. They are still looking for the driver. Condolences to the family. Whoever was driving had to know they had hit somebody. They never even slowed down.
ReplyDeleteThe victim is dead.
ReplyDeleteGrieve, that's a nice opportunity to remind everyone of the Transportation Alternatives rally at city hall Sunday at noon before all of us will be hurt by reckless drivers who know the police and DA will approve their actions
I cross that interaction a lot. I always keep my earphones in my pocket and my head completely up. I look both ways and am cognizant of what's in front and back of me. Especially in Union Square, a lot can happen. Such a horrible crime. I hope they catch the coward who did this. Condolences to the family of the victim :(
ReplyDeleteSadly looks like two parties both not paying full attention. I am constantly surprised at how much faith pedestrians put in car drivers, to keep them safe. I am not blaming the victim (and I realize this comment will nevertheless be characterized as such) but I cannot help but notice the peril of standing off the curb on a busy two-way street at 1 am. We can talk about legislation all day and night but a pedestrian's first and best defense is always going to be eyes, ears, and awareness. The victim appeared to have been facing south down 4th avenue and yet it looks like he had no idea what hit him.
ReplyDeleteThis is really terrible. What the hell is with all of these drivers lately?
ReplyDeleteVision Zero?! I'll say... Can't anybody in this town see!? I mean how many people do you have to kill to pay attention while driving?
ReplyDelete@10:49am: But Union Square East is NOT a two-way street. The driver made an illegal left turn from 14th St. onto Union Square East with Mr. Blanc standing right there in the crosswalk.
ReplyDeleteIt *appears* to me (on watching the video) that the driver HAD to have known he'd hit someone, b/c it looks as if the vehicle went up onto the sidewalk on Union Square East briefly.
I'm sure the NYPD will analyze this footage far more thoroughly than I can. I hope the NYPD finds this driver and prosecutes him/her to the fullest.
My sincere condolences to Mr. Blanc's fiancee, family, and friends on this terrible loss.
The cops found the car, which was a Zipcar rental. Presumably they now have his name and address, which Zipcar would have taken. Why has there been no news on this?
ReplyDelete