A driver fled after a fatal Bronx crosswalk crash.
He Fed Stray Cats
A driver turning left onto Bronxwood Avenue struck pedestrian SM Akhtaruzzaman as he crossed with the signal at East 229th Street in the Bronx at 12:37 p.m. on Sept. 23, 2024, and fled, police and news reports said.
Location reported in Open Data.
What We Know
A driver turning left from East 229th Street onto Bronxwood Avenue struck SM Akhtaruzzaman as he crossed with the signal, police said. The official record places the crash at 12:37 p.m. on Sept. 23, 2024, at the intersection and lists failure to yield as a contributing factor. News reports said the driver left the scene.
Police described a left turn across the crosswalk.
Norwood News reported that police said the driver was traveling east on East 229th Street and turned left onto northbound Bronxwood Avenue with a steady green light. Akhtaruzzaman was crossing Bronxwood Avenue from the northeast corner to the northwest corner in the marked crosswalk with the signal.
The Daily News reported that surveillance video appeared to show the driver slowing before speeding away and passing a red light at East 230th Street.
Reports describe the vehicle in different ways.
The official record classifies the 2016 vehicle as a flatbed. Norwood News described a 2016 Chevy Silverado pickup-tow-truck, the Daily News described a Silverado with a tow hitch, and FOX 5 called it a tow truck.
His family remembered his kindness.
Norwood News identified SM Akhtaruzzaman as 64 and from Wakefield; the official record lists a 64-year-old male pedestrian. FOX 5 reported a 65-year-old pedestrian and used the spelling S.M. Akhdaruzzamam, while El Diario used S.M. Akhtaruzzeman. El Diario also reported that he lived a block from the intersection with his wife and one daughter.
The Daily News identified his daughter as Israd Maria and quoted her remembering him: "He was very kind. He was always very respectful. He loved all of us so much." She also said he was so kind that he fed stray cats. FOX 5 identified a daughter as Maria Asrat and reported that she called for justice.
Reports differ about the location, time and crossing direction.
The official record, Norwood News and El Diario place the crash at Bronxwood Avenue and East 229th Street; FOX 5 instead reported East 230th Street. The official record and Norwood News give 12:37 p.m.; the Daily News reported about 12:35 p.m., and FOX 5 about 12:39 p.m.
Norwood News said Akhtaruzzaman crossed Bronxwood Avenue from the northeast corner to the northwest corner, while FOX 5 and El Diario said he was walking east on East 229th Street.
Reports describe aid and different accounts of the driver's flight.
The Daily News reported that medics took Akhtaruzzaman to Jacobi Medical Center, where he died; FOX 5 reported that bystanders performed CPR. Norwood News said police reported that the driver did not remain at the scene. The Daily News said video appeared to show the driver slow before speeding away, while FOX 5 reported that the driver initially stopped and then fled. FOX 5 also quoted a witness who said the driver later ran red lights, parked and got out on foot.
Norwood News reported no arrests and an ongoing investigation as of Sept. 24. A Sept. 26 Daily News report also said there had been no arrests and the investigation was ongoing.
Where
BRONXWOOD AVENUE and EAST 229 STREET