Driver and passenger die in Harlem River Drive crash.
A driver, identified as Michel Hamilton by the Daily News and Michael Hamilton by 1010 WINS and Patch, lost control near the 125th Street exit; the official record lists two motorist deaths in the 12:12 a.m. on March 5, 2022, crash on Harlem River Drive.
Approximate reported location.
What We Know
Reports say the southbound driver lost control near the 125th Street exit and struck the center barrier. The Daily News identified him as Michel Hamilton, 37; 1010 WINS and Patch called him Michael Hamilton. They identified passenger Norman Batiz, 47. The official record describes the vehicle as a sedan; the Daily News reported a black Honda Accord, 1010 WINS a 2022 Honda Accord, and Patch a Honda sedan. Officers found both men unconscious. 1010 WINS and Patch reported they were pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital; the Daily News said they were taken there but could not be saved. Hamilton's aunt told the Daily News, "He was a hard working young man," and said she was devastated by his death.
Reports say the driver lost control near the exit.
News accounts say the southbound driver lost control near the 125th Street exit and struck the center barrier. The Daily News named him Michel Hamilton; 1010 WINS and Patch called him Michael Hamilton.
The Daily News and 1010 WINS reported that officers found both men unconscious. 1010 WINS and Patch said both were pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital; the Daily News reported they were taken there but could not be saved.
The crash was on Harlem River Drive near 125th Street.
The official record places the crash on Harlem River Drive at 12:12 a.m. on March 5, 2022, and records two motorist deaths. News accounts locate it on the southbound side near the 125th Street exit.
Hamilton's aunt remembered his hard work.
The Daily News identified the driver as 37-year-old Michel Hamilton and described him as being from Washington Heights. 1010 WINS and Patch spelled his first name Michael. Patch reported that he lived on Fifth Avenue near West 139th Street in Harlem. The Daily News and Patch identified passenger Norman Batiz as 47 and from the Bronx.
Hamilton's aunt, who did not wish to be identified, told the Daily News, "He was a hard working young man," and said she was devastated by his death.
Reports describe the vehicle in different ways.
The official record classifies the vehicle as a 2022 sedan. The Daily News described a black Honda Accord, and 1010 WINS also reported a Honda Accord. Patch called it a Honda sedan.
The investigation was ongoing.
1010 WINS reported that the NYPD Highway Patrol Collision Investigation Squad was investigating. Patch also described the investigation as ongoing in its March 7 report.