Zachary Imperi Killed in Buffalo Hit-and-Run Accident
The 36-year-old died Friday after being struck by a vehicle that fled east on Ontario Street
Zachary Imperi, 36, of Buffalo, was killed in a bicycle crash near 51 Ontario St. in the city's Riverside neighborhood late Sept. 4, according to Buffalo police.
The unidentified driver fled east on Ontario Street immediately after the impact. Investigators have not yet released a description of the suspect's vehicle. Imperi was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries following the collision. He died the next day.
The crash remains under investigation. Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.
AAA reports that hit-and-run fatalities reached a record high of 2,972 nationwide in 2022, representing 7% of all traffic deaths.
Urban roadways frequently see higher rates of bicycle collisions due to traffic density and intersection design. When drivers flee the scene, it complicates both the criminal investigation and the recovery process for grieving families.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Fatal hit-and-run collisions almost always leave behind fragmented evidence scattered across tiny paint chips, broken glass, and torn vehicle parts. Piecing scattered evidence back together takes patience and technical skill most families simply do not have time for."
"Legal counsel steps in early, coordinating careful forensic review and protecting fragile proof before permanently disappearing for good," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What evidence can investigators recover from the Riverside neighborhood?
Investigators also canvas nearby businesses and residences for surveillance footage that might have captured the fleeing car.
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.
"Black box devices inside motor vehicles reveal exact driver speed and steering movements in the seconds right before hitting a bicycle," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Technical analysts download this electronic data, while legal counsel supports surviving relatives by making sure crucial digital records are preserved and evaluating potential insurance claims for the family."