Driver ran red light in Bronx crash that killed two pedestrians
Police said an 81-year-old man driving west on Allerton Avenue ran a steady red light in the Bronx on October 9, 2026; pedestrians Angel Johnson, 39, and Robin Kennedy, 57, were among the two who died.
Reported by press, not yet linked to NYC police crash records. This may change when new official records become available or when matching details are reviewed.
Location under review.
What We Know
Police said an 81-year-old man driving west on Allerton Avenue went through a steady red light and was involved in a chain-reaction crash. The two women who died were identified as pedestrians Angel Johnson, 39, and Robin Kennedy, 57. News accounts differ on the order of pedestrian and vehicle impacts and the precise location; reported times were approximate.
Reports differ on the order of impacts
News 12's October 10 account said the driver first struck a 39-year-old woman in one crosswalk, continued through a red light and struck three more women in a second crosswalk, then collided with other vehicles. CBS's later police account placed Johnson and Kennedy together in the first crosswalk, followed by two other women in a second crosswalk and then vehicle impacts.
The New York Post reported a different sequence: after the driver went through a red light, he rear-ended two vehicles, two more vehicles were hit in the pileup, and four women were struck while crossing amid the scene.
Reports placed the crash at around 2 p.m. or just before 2:15 p.m. These are approximate times, not an established exact crash time.
Allerton Avenue is the shared location reference
Several reports placed the crash at or near Allerton Avenue and Holland Avenue. CBS's initial report instead located it near Cruger and Allerton avenues. The shared Allerton Avenue reference is consistent, but the reports do not resolve the cross street or an exact crash point.
The two women were identified the next day
Police identified the women who died as Angel Johnson, 39, and Robin Kennedy, 57. Reports identified both as pedestrians crossing near Allerton and Holland avenues; News 12 reported that they were pronounced dead at Jacobi Hospital. The New York Post's initial report described four women struck as between 50 and 60, a range that conflicts with Johnson's reported age and does not identify which women died.
Neighbors remembered Johnson's warmth
Her friend Abdul Titumir told ABC7 that Johnson greeted people around the neighborhood and remembered her as, "So friendly." He said he had worked at a corner store for 35 years. Gene DeFrancis, a local merchants association executive, said Johnson had just visited her husband in the hospital, where he was being treated for prostate cancer.
Kennedy's family spoke at a community vigil
Kennedy's brother George said, "I had the best sister. I'm going to miss her." News 12 reported that another sister was injured in the crash and their mother suffered brain damage and remained in intensive care. The family attended a vigil held after community leaders postponed a food festival.
Reports describe the Mercedes in different terms
Reports identified the driver's vehicle as a white Mercedes-Benz. News 12 called it a C300, while the Daily News described it as a sedan; other accounts did not specify a model or body style.
The Daily News reported that four other vehicles were struck, naming a blue Jeep, a Chevy Tahoe, a Cadillac Escalade and a black Mercedes.
A reported medical episode was not confirmed
Police accounts said the driver was unable to stop and went through a steady red light. News 12 later reported that sources close to the investigation believed he may have had a medical episode; Kennedy's brother questioned that account. The reports do not establish a medical event or intent as the cause.
The investigation continued without charges
As of October 17, police told News 12 that the driver had not been arrested or charged. Earlier reporting said the NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad was investigating.