Moped rider dies after Bronx service-road chase
The official record says a 32-year-old moped driver died in a 2:09 p.m. crash at Cross Bronx Service Road N and Olmstead Avenue, while prosecutors said Brehisly Jimenez Gonzalez chased and rear-ended Kadeem Davis's moped near Gleason Avenue.
What We Know
Kadeem Davis, 32, died Aug. 21, 2023, after a crash on the Cross Bronx Expressway service road in the Bronx. The city crash record lists one motorist killed, a moped and an SUV, and unsafe speed for both drivers. Daily News accounts based on police and prosecutors describe a quarrel followed by Brehisly Jimenez Gonzalez, 22, pursuing Davis in a 2004 Honda Pilot. The accounts changed over time: police first said the SUV driver slammed into the moped, then said he never made contact and Davis lost control while making a sharp turn; prosecutors later charged Gonzalez with manslaughter and alleged he swerved and rear-ended Davis's scooter during the pursuit. Medics took Davis to Jacobi Medical Center, where he died, and police said they stopped Gonzalez after he left the scene.
A quarrel, a pursuit and disputed contact
Police told the Daily News that Kadeem Davis and Brehisly Jimenez Gonzalez argued before Davis rode west on the Cross Bronx Expressway service road. Later reports said Gonzalez pursued him and was speeding toward him as Davis made a sharp turn near Gleason Avenue.
Published accounts conflict on whether Gonzalez made contact. The first police account said the SUV driver slammed into Davis; a later police account said he never made contact and Davis lost control. Prosecutors then alleged in a criminal complaint that Gonzalez swerved and rear-ended Davis's scooter during the pursuit.
On the Cross Bronx service road
The city crash record places the crash on Cross Bronx Service Road N at Olmstead Avenue in the Bronx. Daily News articles describe the scene as the Cross Bronx Expressway service road in Parkchester or Unionport near Gleason Avenue, just north of the expressway.
Kadeem Davis was remembered by friends
Davis, 32, was taken to Jacobi Medical Center after the crash and died there. Friends described him to the Daily News as easygoing, generous and a devoted father; one friend called him a kind soul who was always ready to lend a helping hand.
The official record lists a moped and an SUV
The city record lists a 2023 JIAJUE moped with one occupant and a 2004 Honda SUV with two occupants. Both drivers were recorded as heading west and going straight before the crash. The Daily News later identified the SUV as a Honda Pilot.
Speed and aggressive driving were cited
The city crash record cites unsafe speed for both drivers and aggressive driving or road rage for the SUV driver. Prosecutors alleged Gonzalez pursued Davis's scooter at a high rate of speed before swerving and rear-ending it.
Police arrested Gonzalez after he left the scene
Police said Gonzalez left onto the Cross Bronx Expressway after the crash, then officers stopped him a short distance away and took him into custody. The Daily News first reported charges including leaving the scene, reckless driving and having no insurance; prosecutors later charged him with manslaughter, assault, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.