NEW YORK CITY, New York County, N.Y., Sept. 30, 2026 — A bicyclist died Monday morning, September 28, after being struck by a dump truck near Herald Square in Midtown Manhattan, according to the NYPD. The crash closed West 34th Street for several hours.
The collision happened just after 10:50 a.m. on West 34th Street near Macy’s, police said. A dump truck traveling westbound reportedly struck a cyclist who was riding in the same direction. EMS pronounced the cyclist dead at the scene.
Police believe the victim was a 50-year-old woman who lived at a shelter in East Harlem. A witness told reporters she may have been working as a delivery rider at the time. She was reportedly riding a JOCO e-bike, part of a rental network aimed at food delivery and gig workers.
Investigators said the truck driver did not stop and continued west on West 34th Street after the crash. Officers located the vehicle, described as an 80,000-pound dump truck with New Jersey plates, a short distance away at Fifth Avenue and 35th Street.
The investigation is ongoing. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased victim.
Why Bicycle Collisions With Large Trucks Often Come Down to Visibility
Large trucks have wide blind spots along their sides and rear, areas cyclists can occupy without the driver ever seeing them in a mirror. When a bike and a truck travel the same direction on the same street, the cyclist can end up riding parallel to the cab for blocks, invisible the entire time.
These crashes tend to cluster at intersections and mid-block turns, where a truck driver’s attention shifts to traffic ahead just as a cyclist moves alongside or behind the trailer. Delivery riders and gig workers, who often thread through slow-moving traffic to save time, can end up in these blind zones more often than casual riders.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1,166 pedalcyclists were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Many of those deaths involved larger vehicles whose size and mirror placement make it hard to spot a rider close to the body of the truck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bicycle crashes more likely at intersections?
Yes. Most car-bicycle collisions happen at or near intersections, where turning vehicles and crossing paths create the highest risk of a driver not seeing an oncoming or adjacent cyclist.
What injuries are common in bicycle-vehicle crashes?
Head trauma, broken bones and internal injuries are common, since a cyclist has no protective frame around them in a collision with a car or truck.
What usually causes these crashes?
Common causes include blind spots, turning vehicles, distracted driving and cyclists riding in a driver’s unseen zones, particularly alongside large trucks or buses.
Where do most car-bicycle collisions occur?
Most happen in urban areas, especially at intersections and along routes shared by delivery traffic, buses and bikes.
What to Do After a Bicycle Crash in New York City, NY
Anyone involved in or witnessing a bicycle crash should call 911 immediately and wait for police and EMS to arrive. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation is worth getting, since some injuries like concussions or internal bleeding are not obvious right away.
If you’re able, note details about the vehicles involved, get contact information from witnesses, and take photos of the scene before anything is moved. Filing a police report is important for any later insurance or legal follow-up.
Cyclists and delivery workers in dense areas like Midtown should stay visible, avoid riding directly alongside large trucks, and give commercial vehicles extra space at intersections where turns are likely.
