Bicyclist killed by postal service truck driver in Manhattan

A 71 year old cyclist was fatally struck by a postal truck at the intersection of 86th Street and Central Park West in Manhattan, NYC.

Last Tuesday around 5:40 pm, Jeffrey Williamson, an avid cyclist, was commuting back from his work downtown to his house in the Upper West Side when a postal truck making a right turn from Central Park West onto the 86th Street traverse hit him. The cyclist, a marketing professional who was close to retirement, was in the bike lane when the truck struck him.

He was rushed to the hospital where he died a few hours later from body trauma. He leaves behind his wife, 68 year old Chris Brimer and two children.

The intersection where the accident occurred is dangerous for cyclists as drivers making a right turn onto the traverse are authorized to turn on the flashing yellow light but must yield to cyclists. Additionally drivers making a left turn onto the traverse have to look at motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists traffic.

USPS trucks have a bad reputation in NYC

USPS did not reveal the name of the driver or his records. They just mentioned he had been working for 15 years for the Post Office.

In 2019, Charles McLean was killed in Brooklyn by a reckless truck driver and USPS never released his identity or if disciplinary action had been taken against him. (see previous blog)

According to a previous Street Blog investigation, since 2013, USPS paid $23 million to New Yorkers who have been injured or killed in accidents caused by USPS employees.

Williamson is the 7th cyclist to die this year in New Yok City.

Another e-bike rider critically injured by a hit and run driver

Yesterday morning the NYPD also told media that they were searching for a hit and run driver who struck a e-bike in the Bronx and left the cyclist in critical condition. The accident occurred Thursday morning around 5:00 am at the intersection of  East 156th Street and Brook Avenue.