E-bike rider dies after curb crash in Washington Heights
Dayanara Deschamps Betances, 49, died after riding north on an e-bike at Amsterdam Avenue and West 181st Street, where police told the Daily News she struck a curb.
What We Know
Dayanara Deschamps Betances was riding north on Amsterdam Avenue at West 181st Street around 3:19 a.m. on May 2, 2026, with a 75-year-old passenger seated behind her, according to the Daily News, which cited police. The article reported that she struck a curb, both people were thrown to the sidewalk, and EMS took her to Columbia University Irving Medical Center, where she died. The official crash record lists one cyclist killed and no other injuries. It also lists Following Too Closely as a contributing factor, while the e-bike vehicle entry lists Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle.
Official Crash Data
Collision ID
4896075
Date
May 2, 2026
Time
3:19 a.m.
Location
Amsterdam Ave & W 181st St, Manhattan
Borough
MANHATTAN
Fatalities
1
Cyclists killed
1
Vehicles listed
Bike, E-Bike
Contributing factors listed
Following Too Closely, Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle
A late-night ride ended at the curb
The official record places the crash at Amsterdam Avenue and West 181st Street in Manhattan at about 3:19 a.m. on May 2, 2026, and records one cyclist killed.
The Daily News reported, citing police, that Dayanara Deschamps Betances was riding north on an electric bike in the right lane with a 75-year-old passenger seated behind her when she struck a curb. The article said both people were thrown from the bike and hit the sidewalk.
Amsterdam Avenue has a long crash record
The crash happened at Amsterdam Avenue and West 181st Street in Washington Heights.
Across Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan, CrashCountNYC’s location context shows 2,226 crashes, 1,161 injuries, 86 serious injuries and 7 deaths from the start of 2022 through June 1, 2026.
The rider was seven blocks from home
The Daily News identified the woman who died as 49-year-old Dayanara Deschamps Betances and reported that she lived in Washington Heights, about seven blocks from where the crash occurred.
The same report said the 75-year-old passenger did not sustain injuries.
Records describe the contributing factors in different terms
The official crash record lists Following Too Closely as a contributing factor. The e-bike vehicle entry lists Reaction to Uninvolved Vehicle, while the Daily News account says police reported that Betances struck a curb.
Police continued the investigation
The Daily News reported that EMS took Betances to Columbia University Irving Medical Center, where she died, and that the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad was investigating.