Manhattan cyclist struck and killed by dump truck on West 34th Street in Midtown

MIDTOWN, Manhattan (WABC) — An investigation is underway after a cyclist was struck and killed by a dump truck in Midtown Manhattan on Monday, according to New York Police officials.

It happened shortly after 10:50 a.m. at 151 West 34th St., near the Macy’s in Herald Square.

Police said a person driving a dump truck westbound on West 34th Street toward Seventh Avenue collided with a person riding a bicycle westbound on West 34th Street in the same direction.

Duane Ware told Eyewitness News he saw the accident and it happened in an instant.

“It’s not like he wanted to stop. It just kept going,” said eyewitness Duane Ware.

Emergency services attended and pronounced the cycling victim dead at the scene. Police believe the victim was a 50-year-old woman who lived in an East Harlem shelter.

A witness said she may have worked as a delivery person. The woman was riding a JOCO e-bike, an e-bike rental network specifically designed for food delivery people and gig workers.

Police said the dump truck did not remain at the scene and continued driving westbound on West 34th Street. Equipped with a description, police stopped the 80,000-pound dump truck with New Jersey license plates at the corner of the scene, at Fifth Avenue and 35th Street.

They impounded the truck and questioned the driver, who will be released without charge at this time.

It is not yet known whether the driver was aware that he had hit the cyclist. Surveillance services reviewed by police indicate the driver may not have been able to see the victim as she rode the bike on the passenger side.

RELATED | 15-year-old killed by truck in East Village identified

Pedestrian Bernice Stapleton said the accident was disturbing.

“I always have to be on the defensive at all times. I’ve been in New York for over 40 years and I’ve always been on the defensive because you never know,” Stapleton said.

As the investigation unfolded, 34th Street was closed for more than four hours.

The investigation is still ongoing.

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