Photo by Daniel Carlson
Updates below; headline also updated as more information became available. There's a GoFundMe here to help the family pay for funeral expenses.
Reports are coming in this morning shortly before 9 that a male pedestrian was struck and killed by a mobile hydraulic lift on First Avenue at Seventh Street.
Police have the intersection closed off right now.
[Photo by Daniel Efram]
We'll update you when more information becomes available.
Updated 10:30 a.m.
ABC-7 reports that the victim, a 19-year-old man, was a construction worker who was directing the equipment operator through the intersection.
Updated 1:30 p.m.
Police have confirmed that the driver of the mobile hydraulic lift is the father of the victim.
According to witnesses and published reports, the son "was attempting to guide his father onto a flatbed truck through the busy intersection," per ABC-7. The victim had apparently moved to stop traffic and was run over by the machinery.
The victim, Ommatt Cruz, lived in the West Brighton neighborhood of Staten Island, according to the Staten Island Advance.
Oh my god, how awful. The poor guy. My heart goes out to his family and friends. R.I.P
ReplyDeleteSincere condolences to his family and friends.
ReplyDeleteSo scary. Amazing it wasn't a biker. I think about trucks EVERY time I bike up First Avenue. Such a risk of people ripping around these corners without looking and hitting someone. Poor guy.
ReplyDeleteOh, the poor father! He must be devastated. What a tragedy. I'm so sad for these people. Truly.
ReplyDeletea huge tragedy I cant imagine. godspeed
ReplyDeleteI cannot even imagine what the victim's family is going through right now. The father now has to carry this tragedy for the rest of his life. So sad. Such a young man. Condolences to his loved ones.
ReplyDeleteI feel like the streets are more dangerous than at any time since I've lived in New York (43 years). Electric bikes and hurling down the street at breakneck speed, in every direction and on every sidewalk. People routinely leaving the scene of an accident. It only takes an instant for a tragedy like this. And while this is a freak accident too many people are getting killed on New York streets. My condolences to his friends and family.
ReplyDeleteA gofundme page has been started for the family to help cover funeral costs. Posting here in case anyone would like to contribute. Sending lots of love and condolences to the family. https://www.gofundme.com/f/funeral-expenses-for-ommatt-cruz?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=customer
ReplyDelete