Biker Struck and Killed by Garbage Truck in New York

On Friday, Madison Jane Lyden, a 23-year-old from Australia, was struck and killed by a garbage truck in New York’s Upper West Side neighborhood. Lyden was in a bike lane when she was hit, and the police have claimed her actions did not contribute to the incident.

The driver of the truck, Felipe Chairez, was arrested at the scene and will face charges of driving under the influence. Several beer cans were found in the truck, and he was driving on a no-truck route at the time of the incident.

“This tragic accident highlights the need for the Business Integrity Commission to promulgate tougher safety regulations applicable to all haulers. SWANA will support such efforts,” says David Biderman, CEO and executive director of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA).

West Side Rag has more information:

Madison Jane Lyden, a 23-year-old Australian woman, was hit and killed by a garbage truck on Central Park West between 66th and 67th Street while riding a bike on Friday afternoon.

Lyden was riding north on CPW in the bike lane around 4:40 p.m. when a black Toyota livery vehicle pulled into the lane, the police said in a statement. Lyden swerved into the vehicle lanes and was hit by a private carting truck that was traveling north, police said. Both vehicles remained on scene and the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is investigating the crash.

In a phone interview with WSR, Capt. Timothy Malin of the 20th Precinct said, “Our preliminary investigation has found that the actions of the bicyclist did not contribute to the collision. The actions of the TLC [livery] vehicle driver did contribute to the collision. Whether that driver receives summonses or is arrested depends on the District Attorney’s office.”

Read the full story here.