Erick Lamont Bowie Killed in Manhattan Bicycle Collision
The 32-year-old bicyclist was sideswiped by a Dodge Durango that fled the scene on Amsterdam Avenue
Erick Lamont Bowie, 32, of Brooklyn, was killed when he was struck by a vehicle in a hit-and-run crash on Amsterdam Avenue near West 151st Street in Manhattan, New York, on June 19, according to police.
Investigators are searching for the driver of a 2021 Dodge Durango who fled the scene. The SUV sideswiped the southbound bicyclist at approximately 9:45 p.m., sending him colliding into a parked minivan.
Paramedics rushed Bowie to Harlem Hospital with severe head injuries. He was later pronounced dead.
No arrests have been made. The victim worked as a driver at Interfaith Medical Center.
Police are asking anyone with information about the Dodge Durango to come forward.
Why did the Dodge Durango flee the scene on Amsterdam Avenue?
While police search for the 2021 Dodge Durango, the sudden loss of a loved one in a hit-and-run leaves families grappling with deep grief and unanswered questions.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Hit-and-run investigations can stay open for extended periods when a motorist goes unidentified, adding real stress to families already managing serious loss. Time does not eliminate accountability, but early evidence preservation makes a meaningful difference."
"Experienced legal counsel can monitor developments, maintain contact with relevant authorities, and keep affected families informed throughout what can become a lengthy process," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
NYPD reports show that hit‑and‑run crashes in New York City have risen in recent years, with more than 46,000 incidents recorded annually across the five boroughs.
What evidence can help identify the hit-and-run driver?
Arrest rates for hit-and-run drivers in New York City remain low, with only a fraction of offenders facing criminal charges. However, civil investigations often run parallel to criminal probes, utilizing traffic cameras and physical debris left at a crash site.
Families like Bowie's often seek accountability through both the criminal justice system and civil avenues. Under New York law, individuals injured due to another party's negligence may be entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
New York wrongful death statute
Under N.Y. EPTL § 5-4.1, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. New York applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of parental guidance, funeral expenses, and the decedent's conscious pain and suffering.
"Grief after a catastrophic hit-and-run rarely follows a predictable timeline, and financial pressures on surviving relatives often mount well before any legal process concludes. Medical bills and funeral costs can overwhelm families already carrying tremendous loss," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.
"An attorney can manage legal and insurance complications, allowing grieving relatives to focus on recovery rather than navigating a complicated claims process."