Fatal crash in Astoria: Vehicle wanted in Queens burglary hits and kills woman on bike

ASTORIA, Queens (WABC) — A pickup truck that police had previously tried to pull over for theft fatally hit a bicyclist in the Astoria district of Queens.

The victim was struck by a black truck at the intersection of 37th Street and 34th Street on Tuesday around 11:05 p.m.

Surveillance video showed the 36-year-old cyclist approaching the intersection as the truck sped by, throwing the victim and his bike into the air and landing on a nearby parked car.

A witness who was walking his dog a few minutes before the crash said it happened very quickly.

“I was shocked… the lady didn’t even make a sound, she just flew away,” said the witness, named Jake.

He was pronounced dead at Elmhurst Hospital.

The three people inside the truck were wanted for theft from what appeared to be a construction site at 38-20 Crescent Street. Police tried to pull them over but the driver refused to stop.

Police spotted the truck again after the woman was killed, but lost sight of it again at Steinway Avenue and Northern Boulevard.

The truck was later found parked outside 46-15 Newtown Road. The three people in the vehicle abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. No arrests were made.

“An innocent person was killed due to this ridiculous situation…it is a profound tragedy and I offer my deepest condolences to his family,” Astoria resident Adelaida Tamayo said. “You know, I think tragic things that could have been avoided are really frustrating.”

An active investigation is ongoing, and police say so far the truck’s license plates have been identified with duct tape and have not been reported stolen.

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