Driver leaves scene after fatal Bronx crash on Webster Avenue.
A Phenomenal Dad
A southbound driver struck pedestrian Kelvin Mitchell, 43, on Webster Avenue near East 168th Street in the Bronx at 12:44 a.m. on May 10, 2025, and left the scene, according to the crash record and police accounts.
Location reported in Open Data.
What We Know
At 12:44 a.m. on May 10, 2025, a southbound driver struck Mitchell near Webster Avenue and East 168th Street; the crash record lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor. Reports differ on whether Mitchell was crossing or standing in a midblock crosswalk. Video reports raised questions about a possible police pursuit, but the NYPD did not confirm one, and Mitchell's family said they received conflicting accounts.
The driver left the scene.
Police accounts said a southbound driver struck Mitchell near East 168th Street and left. The official record logs the collision at 12:44 a.m. on May 10, 2025, and records one pedestrian death.
Reports differ on Mitchell's movement: the Daily News and News 12 said he was crossing in or near a midblock crosswalk, while ABC7's May 12 report said authorities described him as standing in the crosswalk.
The crash happened near Mitchell's home.
The official record places the crash at Webster Avenue and East 168th Street. The Daily News said the location was around the corner from Mitchell's home in the Webster Houses. Reports described the nearby cross streets differently: News 12 and Streetsblog placed the crash between East 168th and East 169th streets; ABC7's May 10 report named East 160th Street, while its May 12 report named East 169th Street.
News 12 reported that nearby streets are part of city-designated Vision Zero priority corridors and intersections, where city data shows high concentrations of pedestrians killed or severely injured.
Sources described the vehicle differently.
The official record classifies the vehicle as a sedan. The Daily News and ABC7 described a black Mercedes-Benz, while News 12 identified it as a black Mercedes 300.
Family and neighbors remembered Mitchell's community ties.
His sister, Justina Lorrious, described Mitchell as a beloved community member and said he was close to his three children, worked construction and made sweatsuits. The Daily News also described him as a talented basketball player and self-employed construction worker. Family members described him as a recent grandfather, and neighbors told News 12 that he had lived on the block with his mother all his life.
Streetsblog reported that memorials stood outside Mitchell's apartment building and the bodega he had just left.
Unsafe speed is listed, while a possible pursuit remains unconfirmed.
The crash record lists unsafe speed as a contributing factor.
Streetsblog reported that video appeared to show a police van pursuing the driver before the crash. News 12 described footage of what appeared to be an NYPD vehicle following shortly beforehand; the Daily News said an NYPD spokesman could not confirm a pursuit, and Streetsblog reported that the department declined to comment. Mitchell's family told Streetsblog they had received two conflicting explanations from police: one described an extended pursuit, while another said officers began pursuing after seeing the driver speeding in a bus lane. Streetsblog said it was unclear whether a pursuit led the driver to speed or whether the driver was already speeding.
Police searched for the driver.
The Daily News reported on May 10 that the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad was reviewing surveillance footage to identify the driver. ABC7 reported on May 12 that police were still searching.