BMW driver fled after passenger died in Staten Island crash
A BMW driver removed the car's plates and fled after a March 11 crash on Goethals Road North killed a 26-year-old passenger, authorities told ABC7; the city recorded the crash at 10:10 p.m.
Location reported in Open Data.
What We Know
A driver heading west in a black BMW sedan crashed on Goethals Road North in Graniteville on March 11, 2024. ABC7 reported that the driver went through a fence and into a utility pole; Gothamist, citing police, also reported a collision with a fire hydrant. The 26-year-old passenger died at the scene, and a 23-year-old passenger was injured. Authorities told ABC7 that the driver removed the car's plates and fled on foot. Police were still looking for the driver the next afternoon.
Reported vehicle makes
- BMW — accepted press report
Make information is incomplete for the vehicles involved in this crash.
The crash and the driver's departure
The city recorded the crash at 10:10 p.m. on March 11. Its records describe a westbound, 2011 BMW sedan carrying three people, including a 26-year-old passenger seated in the right rear.
ABC7 reported that the driver went through a fence and into a utility pole. Gothamist reported that police also described a collision with a fire hydrant. Authorities told ABC7 that the driver took the car's plates and ran away.
Along the expressway service road
The crash happened on Goethals Road North near Jules Drive in Staten Island's Graniteville neighborhood, on a service road of the Staten Island Expressway. ABC7 reported that damage to a utility pole and fencing sent debris into the back porches of homes along the road.
One passenger died; another was injured
ABC7 identified the passenger who died at the scene as 26-year-old Usman Chugahati. Gothamist spelled his surname Chugahtai and reported that he lived on Staten Island.
A 23-year-old passenger was also injured. Gothamist reported that he was taken to Richmond University Medical Center in stable condition.
Police searched for the driver
Police had not located the driver by the afternoon of March 12, according to Gothamist. ABC7 reported that police were working to identify the driver.