You are reading

Truck Driver With Suspended License Kills Cyclist in Sunnyside Wednesday: NYPD

A bicyclist was killed by the driver of a box truck at the intersection of 47th Street and 47th Avenue Wednesday (Google)

Nov. 4, 2021 By Christian Murray (Updated)

A bicyclist was fatally struck by the driver of a box truck in Sunnyside Wednesday, police said.

Qiang Tu, 58, of Forest Hills, was riding his bicycle westbound on 47th Avenue at around 8:35 a.m. when he was struck by a box truck driver who was traveling on 47th Avenue in the same direction and hit him while turning onto 47th Street.

The trucker was driving with a suspended license.

The police were called to the scene and discovered Tu unconscious and unresponsive with severe injuries. He was transported to NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst where he was pronounced dead.

The driver, 33-year-old Shakai Waye of Newark, NJ, remained on the scene but was arrested and charged with Aggravated Unlicensed Operator. He was driving a 2015 Freightliner M21 Box Truck at the time of the crash.

The bike advocacy group Transportation Alternatives issued a statement condemning the mayor for the crash.

“Qiang Tu’s life could have been saved if Mayor de Blasio prioritized people over parking,” said Juan Restrepo, Senior Organizer and Queens Organizer at Transportation Alternatives.

“While there is a bike boulevard and three different protected bike lanes north of Queens Boulevard, the southern section of Sunnyside only has sharrows and painted bike lanes, offering no protection to residents commuting through the area. This area needs a comprehensive safety plan that will provide protected bike lanes connecting to the Kosciuszko Bridge, along the industrial corridor, and through popular bike thoroughfares like 47th Avenue. Saving lives should come before saving parking spots.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com

2 Comments

Click for Comments 
Killer employers!

Box truck driver’s employer did not protect the public by not simply checking his employee’s driver’s license!
Off to jail with him!!
It is extra hard to make a right turn when there is a bike lane on your right side!

Reply
Zooyorker

Blasio prioritized criminals over victims. It’s not just the bike lane. Never seen so many cars with paper plates, drivers (cars, scooters, bikes) blowing red lights, stop signs. Police turns a blind eye.

Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Op-ed: Top five reasons to join the Girl Scouts in Queens

Dec. 10, 2024 By Mary Ann Hellenbrecht, Girl Scout troop leader in Queens for 40 years

I first became a Girl Scout troop leader over 4 decades ago because of my daughters. What I didn’t realize back then was how much I would learn and grow alongside not only my daughters but all the girls in my troop—and how deeply I would believe in the power of Girl Scouts to transform lives.