Driver indicted in fatal hit-and-run of cyclist in Astoria

A Staten Island driver was indicted for allegedly hitting, killing an avid cyclist in Astoria while fleeing police last year. Eagle file photo by Walter Karling

By Noah Powelson

Last October, over 100 cyclists held a vigil in the streets of Astoria paying respect to the life of a woman who was killed riding her bike. On Monday, the man they said killed her was indicted.

Staten Island man Bekim Fiseku, 54, was charged with murder, manslaughter, unlawfully fleeing a police officer and other crimes for allegedly killing 36-year-old Amanda Servedio while he was fleeting police.

Servedio, an avid cyclist, was riding her bike home after a cyclist meetup when she was struck by a car at the intersection of 34th Avenue and 37th Street in Astoria.

Fiseku was allegedly being pursued by police officers after attempting to break into a warehouse in Long Island City on October 22, 2024. After a 10-minute high speed car chase in which Fiseku allegedly weaved in and out of bike lanes and ran multiple red lights, Fiseku struck Servidio and launched her off her bike. Servedio had the right of way, and landed on a nearby parked car.

Police stopped to give aid to Servedio, and Fiseku allegedly fled the scene and continued on for another half a mile before abandoning the car and escaping on foot.

Servedio was taken to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Police said an investigation of Fiseku’s car, a 2023 Dodge, recovered a prybar, screwdriver, bolt cutters, a dead-blow hammer, gloves, a mask and two cellphones – one of which was registered to Fiseku – which is also registered to Fiseku.

Fiseku had a long criminal history, according to a federal indictment filed in the Southern District of New York, and was out on parole after he was sentenced for attempted robbery in 2017.

A warrant had been placed for Fiseku a week after Servidio was killed, and the defendant remained on the run for four months. He was eventually arrested in February at the Skyway Motel in Jersey City, New Jersey by police officers while he was allegedly carrying marijuana and cocaine on his person. He had remained in federal custody since, and was arrested by members of the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad and Force Investigations Division on Monday morning.

“The defendant allegedly led the police on a 10-minute chase through the crowded streets of Long Island City and Astoria to avoid responsibility for his actions,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “As alleged, the defendant was wanted in connection with an attempted burglary when he fled, ran a red light and killed a bicyclist who had the right of way. He then abandoned his damaged vehicle and fled the jurisdiction. My office never gives up on victims.

“Following a thorough investigation by my Vehicular Homicide Unit, along with the NYPD, we built a strong case, and the defendant is now indicted on murder and related charges,” Katz added.

Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant remanded Fiseku and ordered him to return to court July 30. If convicted of the top count, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Friends and family remembered Servedio as a force, someone full of life and eager to set out on her bike and make new friends. She had plans to get more involved in a group for cyclists, known as Bike & Brew, after an injury she sustained while cycling on the narrow Queensboro Bridge had kept her away from the group for some time. It was the same group she said goodbye to that night when she was struck by a car on her way home.

Over 100 cyclists and locals gathered in Astoria last year to remember the life of Amanda Servedio who was killed in a hit-and-run. The driver was indicted for her death on Monday. Eagle file photo by Ryan Schwach

Manuel and Carl, two friends Servedio met through Bikes & Brew, remembered her ability to organize people into group chats and new rides, as well as her big personality at a vigil for her in October.

“She was an organizer, she connected people, brought them together and made things happen,” Carl said. “I wouldn't have done all of these things without Amanda's encouragement.”

Assemblymember and mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who represents Astoria, was present at Servedio’s vigil. Speaking to the crowd, the Assemblymember said Servedio’s death highlighted the dangers of police chases, which are against NYPD policy.

“The only fault that lies in this moment is at the hands of this city, because this was not an accident,” Mamdani said at the time. “This is a natural outcome when you pursue policies like high-speed chases, when you ensure that New Yorkers lose their lives because you're prioritizing property over people, because there is no amount of stolen goods the police could have stopped and found in that car that would have ever made it worthwhile to take Amanda's life.”

After the vigil and the placement of a ghost bike, more than a hundred cyclists picked up where Servedio left off, and rode the rest of the way to her home just a few blocks away before meeting at a nearby bar.

“I think Amanda brought us together in life to encourage us to be better, to do more,” said Joe Jankosky, Servedio’s partner. “Whether it was to ride the extra mile, to be a little more friendly, or to make the burdens of work and life a little more bearable, even in death, she brings us together to be better, to do more.”