A 50-year-old bike-riding physician was struck and killed Wednesday by a driver operating a school bus loaded with children on the 96th Street Central Park transverse, police officials said.
None of the children were injured, but this incident marked the 29th instance of a bicyclist being fatally struck and killed on the streets of New York City. It prompted renewed calls from street safety activists for increased protected bike lanes and greater enforcement against dangerous drivers.
The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, police officials said. He was identified as Daniel J. Cammerman, a doctor at Mount Sinai Health System.
The crash occurred at about 8 a.m. on Dec. 18 as the doctor was riding his bicycle on the transverse from north to south.
Preliminary information obtained by police indicate that he may have struck a curb and fell into the roadway when he was run over by the school bus, which had 14 children on board. The bus driver stayed at the scene.
No charges were filed against the driver at this time, pending further investigation.
Mount Sinai sent out the following statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the news of the tragic loss of Dr. Daniel J. Cammerman, a beloved physician, teacher, mentor and role model at Mount Sinai Health System and faculty member of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Our prayers and heart-felt sympathy go out to his family, friends, and students and colleagues at Mount Sinai. This is a great loss for the Mount Sinai community. For this reason, we will be offering counseling and support during this very difficult time.”
Residents passing by said bike riding in that area can be very dangerous.
“People driving here are always in a rush, so it isn’t surprising that someone has been killed,” said James Marsh, 45, who said he bicycles in this area often, but tries to stay inside the park. He stood on the corner and watched one bike rider run the red light and weave through moving traffic from the transverse.
“There is definitely more than can be done to create protected bike paths, but in the meantime, bicycle riders have to be more careful too,” Marsh observed.
In a statement, Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris again called for reforms that will make the streets safer.
“With each cyclist and pedestrian death, we do not need thoughts, hopes, prayers or distant plans from our leaders,” Harris said. “We need immediate action to give all New Yorkers safe, equitable and dignified transportation alternatives. As a city, we have scores of examples where street improvements, including protected bike lanes, save lives and build a better city for everyone. Despite our successes, New York City has still failed to build a protected and connected bike network that could have prevented this tragedy and countless others.”
