Francisco Garcia Killed in Bronx Hit-and-Run Accident
The 71-year-old was struck by a Kia Telluride on the Bruckner Expressway; driver fled the scene.
Francisco Garcia, 71, of the Bronx, was struck and killed by a car on the Bruckner Expressway, according to police. The incident happened near White Plains Road over the weekend. A 2020 Kia Telluride hit Garcia around 4:45 a.m. on Saturday. The driver of the Kia fled the scene after the collision. Garcia was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigators later located the abandoned Kia Telluride near the corner of Underhill and Watson avenues. No arrests have been made, and an investigation into the hit-and-run continues. Police ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
The dark hours before dawn often present raise risks for pedestrians. In pedestrian accidents such as this, the lack of visibility can be a critical factor. According to Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, "what scares me most is the sharp rise in pedestrian deaths during the week after clocks fall back. The sudden darkness during the evening commute makes walkers nearly invisible to drivers who aren't used to it."
Hit-and-run incidents, particularly those involving pedestrians, remain a serious concern across the country. GHSA data indicates that approximately 25% of all pedestrian death in 2023 involved a hit-and-run driver. These figures highlight the challenges faced by victims and investigators in identifying and holding accountable those responsible.
Investigating a hit-and-run crash requires a careful approach. Investigators often review surveillance footage from the area, seek witness accounts, and examine any forensic evidence left at the scene. They work to reconstruct the events leading up to the collision, identify the vehicle involved, and locate the driver. The abandoned Kia Telluride found by police will be critical evidence.
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.
Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "families of wrongful death victims often face significant financial burdens and emotional distress, and the law provides a pathway to seek justice and accountability for their profound loss.