By Gus Saltonstall
A pedestrian who collided with a cyclist in Central Park last week succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, the man’s family announced.
Richie O’Brien, 41, was walking to his job as a union steamfitter around 6:35 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, when he was struck by a 32-year-old cyclist on a pedal bike, police said.
An NYPD spokesperson told West Side Rag, along with other publications, that the collision happened within the park on West Drive near 84th Street. However, Laura Sackler, who witnessed the incident, told Streetsblog that there was an error in the police report and the collision happened on East Drive around 84th Street near the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
“The bicyclist struck the pedestrian causing him to fall to the ground sustaining severe head trauma,” police told West Side Rag in an email.
O’Brien was rushed to Weill-Cornell hospital in critical condition with severe head trauma, and placed in a medically induced coma.
The bicyclist remained on the scene with minor injuries, police told WSR. There have been no arrests, according to NYPD.
O’Brien died on Sunday morning, his family announced online.
“Richie passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 27, with Ronni [his wife] by his side,” the note read. “Although our hearts are broken by this unimaginable loss, Richie’s legacy will live on. He was able to give the gift of life to others through organ donation, helping those in need even in his final moments.”
O’Brien is survived by his wife Ronni and their two eight- and 12-year-old daughters.
“Ronni has been a devoted stay-at-home mom, dedicating herself to raising their two daughters, Kylie and Mia, who are just 8 and 12 years old,” reads a note connected to a fundraiser for the family. “Now, while caring for her children and remaining by Richie’s side through this unimaginable time, she is also facing the uncertainty of having to support her family without Richie’s income.”
The investigation remains ongoing by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad.
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What a tragic loss 🙁 Bike speeds have gotten out of control. They are so dangerous. We need better laws and stronger enforcement to keep pedestrians safe from reckless cyclists. Rest easy, Mr O’Brien <3
Many or most cyclists in the park ride at a speed that is not consistent with a road where pedestrians may step out onto the road.
This is just heartbreaking. We need more regulation and enforcement. Period.
The framing is interesting here – most outlets have said they collided – not that the cyclist struck the runner. Your reporting makes it sound like the cyclist alone here is at fault – something that both the family of the decedent and the cyclist in question have acknolowedged is not true.
When will they finally install speed bumps and slow the bikes down?