Driver Rear-Ends Electric Motorcycle Rider on FDR Drive
Nathaniel Knight, a 40-year-old Brooklyn man, was killed in a crash the city record places on FDR Drive at 9:51 p.m.; police told amNY it happened near East 55th Street around 10:30 p.m. when a 19-year-old driver in a 2008 Honda Civic rear-ended him.
What We Know
Nathaniel Knight, 40, of Dumbo, was riding north on FDR Drive when police said a 19-year-old driver in a 2008 Honda Civic hit him from behind. amNY reported that a second 19-year-old driver then hit the back of the Honda, pushing it onto Knight and pinning him underneath. The city crash record lists the crash on FDR Drive at 9:51 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2023; amNY, citing police, reported it near East 55th Street around 10:30 p.m. Police said both drivers remained at the scene, were not injured, and had not been arrested as the NYPD Highway Collision Investigation Squad investigated.
A rear impact led to a fatal pileup
Police told amNY that Nathaniel Knight was riding north on FDR Drive when a 19-year-old driver in a 2008 Honda Civic rear-ended him. A second 19-year-old driver then hit the back of the Honda, pushing it onto Knight and pinning him underneath, according to the report.
The city crash record and the press account differ on the time: the official record lists 9:51 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2023, while amNY, citing police, reported around 10:30 p.m.
The crash happened on the FDR Drive near Midtown East
The official record places the fatal collision on FDR Drive in Manhattan. amNY reported that Knight was riding northbound near East 55th Street.
Nathaniel Knight died at the scene
Knight was 40 and lived in Dumbo, according to amNY. The official record identifies the person killed as a 40-year-old male rider or driver of an other motorized device; amNY identified him as Nathaniel Knight and said he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said both 19-year-old drivers remained at the crash site and were not injured.
Records describe an e-bike or electric motorcycle and two sedans
The official vehicle entries list an e-bike and two northbound sedans, including a 2008 Honda and a 2006 Honda. The public crash record also describes the involved vehicle types as a motor scooter and sedans, while amNY described Knight’s ride as an electric motorcycle.
The official vehicle entries say the e-bike was going straight ahead and the two sedan drivers were changing lanes before the crash.
Police investigated and reported no arrests
amNY reported that the NYPD Highway Collision Investigation Squad was investigating the crash and that no arrests had been made.