Nurse dies after being struck by Cadillac in Sunset Park hit-and-run, sources say
Transportation Alternatives says Zheng is the 11th person killed in a hit-and-run on a two-mile stretch of 3rd Avenue in the past 12 years.
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A 28-year-old nurse is dead after she was struck by a Cadillac during a hit-and-run in Sunset Park on Saturday morning, police and hospital sources say.
The deadly incident happened just after 7:30 a.m. near 55th Street and Third Avenue.
Surveillance footage obtained by News 12 shows the Cadillac speeding through the intersection and hitting Jiayi Zheng, sending her flying across the road.
In the video, the car does not appear to slow down as it continues traveling down Third Avenue.
The NYPD says Zheng suffered serious trauma to the head and body.
Paramedics rushed her to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, where she died, according to police sources.
Hospital sources told News 12 that the victim left that same NYU hospital after finishing her overnight shift and was traveling home when she was struck. They say she was a nurse in the medical surgical unit and described her as "always positive and in a good mood."
The driver remains on the run as of Sunday morning.
NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn released the following statement to News 12:
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jiayi Zheng, a nurse at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn. This is a tragic loss, and we extend our sincere condolences to her family, loved ones, and colleagues. Our nurses play an essential role in caring for others with compassion and dedication, and this loss is being felt across our entire community."
Transportation Alternatives says Zheng is the 11th person killed in a hit-and-run on a two-mile stretch of 3rd Avenue in the past 12 years.
The Department of Transportation proposed a redesign of the 3rd Avenue stretch in 2023 and Trans Alt is calling on officials to "fast-track" its implementation.
Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives Ben Furnas released a statement that reads, in part, "This was not inevitable. There has been a plan to redesign Third Avenue that has been gathering dust while the community begs for improvements. We need to fast-track the Third Avenue redesign, and we need a real plan from City Hall to stop the carnage citywide."
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