NYC Teen Killed in East Village Citi Bike Crash Identified
A 15-year-old girl died and her 16-year-old companion was injured after their Citi Bike was struck by a sanitation truck in the East Village.
Police on Saturday identified the 15-year-old girl killed after being struck by a sanitation truck while riding a Citi Bike in the East Village as Daria Serkov. Her 16-year-old companion, who was also on the Citi Bike, remains hospitalized in stable condition.
The collision occurred around 9 p.m. Friday at the intersection of East 14th Street and First Avenue. According to police, the truck was attempting to make a right turn onto First Avenue when it collided with the two teenagers.
Emergency medical services transported both girls to Bellevue Hospital, where Serkov was pronounced dead. Witnesses reported hearing bystanders yelling at the truck driver to stop, but the driver reportedly did not hear them. One witness described the scene as "dramatic," with bystanders attempting to help the injured girl before police instructed them to stop to avoid further harm.
The truck involved was identified as a Hydro excavation truck belonging to Badger Daylighting. The company issued a statement expressing devastation and offering condolences to the victim's family. Lyft, the operator of Citi Bike, stated their thoughts were with the family and committed to working with authorities on the investigation, emphasizing safety as their top priority.
Witnesses also reported that both girls were sharing the same bike and were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash. The truck driver remained at the scene, and no charges have been filed as of Saturday. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
