Father Of 3 Fatally Struck By Car While Riding His Bicycle Home In Queens
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man is dead after he was struck by a car while riding a bicycle in Sunnyside, Queens early Saturday morning.
Authorities say 32-year-old Gelasio Reyes of Queens was hit by a red Ford Escape travelling south near the corner of 43rd Avenue and 39th Street just before 3:00 a.m.
One witness says Reyes didn't appear to be bleeding, but also didn't appear to be conscious as medics tried to resuscitate him following the collision.
"I saw him taking off, I realized they gave him CPR," witness Tcheoule Traure said. "He didn't move at all."
Reyes was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst where he was pronounced dead.
The married father of three was riding his bicycle home from his Manhattan restaurant job making deliveries when he was struck, CBS2's Dave Carlin reported.
"When somebody's hurt, when somebody needs help, everyone should be there, and everyone should do something," family friend Thalia Bravo told Carlin. "We don't know why that person would leave."
One of Reyes' cousins found his bicycle seat at the scene. He then joined other family members who put together collection boxes for donations to help the family cover expenses.
"He's a great guy. He worked hard, always worked hard," cousin Pablo Rosendo said.
Family members said Reyes moved to the Corona, Queens neighborhood from his native Mexico about 13 years ago and started a family here. His parents are in Mexico and the burial will take place there.
"He left his wife, two sons and a newborn baby girl," Bravo said.
As 1010 WINS Roger Stern reports, a makeshift memorial now sits on the corner, with a sign asking for anyone with information on the accident to come forward.
The driver of the vehicle continued through the intersection and did not stop at the scene. Police say they caught up with the striking vehicle a short while later near the Queens Midtown Expressway less than a mile from the crash and took a man into custody.
CBS2 exclusive video shows officers arresting the man next to the wanted red Ford Focus with its windshield smashed and front bumper falling off.
At this point the man, identified as 25-year-old Christian Guiracocha, has been charged with a DWI as the hit and run crash remains under investigation. Police say it's possible they will file additional charges before the weekend is over.
WCBS 880's Myles Miller reports that Reyes's death comes days after the city announced cycling deaths increased in 2016 despite an overall drop in traffic deaths citywide.
Stick with CBSNewYork for more on this developing story.
