New York City, October 10, 2014 — An 86-year-old man was tragically killed on Friday afternoon when a Coca-Cola delivery truck struck him at the intersection of Third Avenue and East 96th Street. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. as the elderly pedestrian, using a cane, crossed the street with the pedestrian signal in his favor.
Witnesses reported that the man had been browsing items sold by vendors outside the Islamic Cultural Center of New York shortly before the accident. As he proceeded to cross the intersection, the Coca-Cola truck made a right turn, hitting him. According to onlookers, the truck driver seemed initially unaware of the collision, and bystanders had to shout to get him to stop the vehicle.
“The driver wanted to keep going; people had to tell him to stop,” one eyewitness Edwin Rios said. Another bystander described the chaotic scene, noting, “Women were screaming, and the sound of the impact was incredibly loud.” First responders from the FDNY quickly arrived on the scene, and the injured man was rushed to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center with severe head trauma. Despite the medical team’s efforts, his injuries proved fatal.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Coca-Cola Company expressed their concern: “Our thoughts are with those involved in this incident, and our primary concern is their well-being. We are cooperating fully with the authorities.”
New York TV channels and Media interviewed New York Muslim scholar, Dr Ammaar Saeed at Islamic Cultural Masjid, as everyone was there to attend Friday prayer shared his views on incident happened before his eyes,
“I am deeply saddened by this tragic accident. It’s heartbreaking to witness such a devastating event unfold before our eyes. May God Protect us all, Ameen”. (Dr. Ammaar Saeed)
AHAD TV News Report,
At the scene, the man’s belongings, including a Duane Reade shopping bag and a single pair of sneakers, were left among blood stains, marking the site of the accident. The NYPD has not yet disclosed further information regarding potential criminal charges or the driver’s identity.
An eyewitness who was present at the nearby New York Cultural Masjid on 96th Street and Third Avenue provided a detailed account of the incident. “It was a shocking sight. Everyone rushed to help him as best they could,” the witness stated. Another bystander emphasized the urgency and collective effort: “People were shouting for the truck to stop. The sense of panic and the need to act quickly was overwhelming.”
This tragic event underscores the dangers pedestrians face and highlights the need for vigilant driving and enhanced pedestrian safety measures in busy urban areas.