Jackson Heights Man Dragged and Killed By MTA Bus

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a Q33 bus at the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and 75th Street, a particularly dangerous place for pedestrians and cyclists. Photo via Google Maps.

By Jonathan Sperling

A Jackson Heights man was killed after an MTA bus ran him over and dragged him through the street early Monday morning, police said.

The unidentified pedestrian was walking near the intersection of Roosevelt Avenue and 75th Street when a Q33 bus travelling westbound on Roosevelt Avenue struck him at around 2:45 a.m., according to police.

Officers from the 115th Precinct, as well as EMS, responded to the scene and transported the victim to Elmhurst Medical Center, where he died.

The 55-year-old bus driver stayed at the scene. Police told the Eagle that the driver had not been arrested as of press time Monday, but an investigation was still ongoing.

Commuters who utilize the transit hub were shocked at the news of the pedestrian’s death.

“I find it so crazy that it happened at Roosevelt. I take the Q33 and the train from there everyday. It’s usually a safe neighborhood, but it’s always crowded and there’s quite a bit of traffic,” said  Sheik Floradewan, an East Elmhurst resident.

“I just don’t understand how the bus driver didn’t see the pedestrian,” she added.

The Roosevelt Avenue portion of Jackson Heights has been plagued by pedestrian and cyclist collision injuries in recent months.

Since the start of 2019, at least five pedestrians and cyclists were struck and injured by cars on or near Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, according to NYPD TrafficStat data.