A hit-and-run incident recently claimed the life of a 26-year-old over the weekend.
On Saturday, June 11, just after 12:40 a.m., the 45th Precinct responded to a motor vehicle accident in the vicinity of East Tremont Avenue and Mayflower Avenue, which resulted in the death of cyclist Giovanni ‘Gio’ Nin.
Nin, a Freeman Avenue resident and a FedEx employee, was found lying on the street with severe trauma to his body when police officers arrived at the scene. Emergency medical services responders pronounced Nin dead at the scene.
NYPD’s Highway Unit’s Collision Investigation Squad determined that Nin was headed northbound on East Tremont Avenue when he was struck by a vehicle, while attempting to cross the street mid-block.
Nin was heading to his girlfriend’s house between work shifts. He was employed at the FedEx shipping center on Zerega Avenue.
Witnesses claim Nin was hit by a silver BMW X5 (from the early 2000s), traveling southbound. The driver of the vehicle did not remain at the scene.
The NYPD confirmed, as of press time, that no arrests have been made and that the investigation is ongoing.
The NYPD also released a video of the vehicle, which received damage to its front right bumper, hood and windshield.
The following day, the NYPD set up an electronic message board where Nin was hit, which read: “ANY INFO, CALL 1-800-577-TIPS”, encouraging anybody with information to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline.
Tips can also be submitted online by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdc
This stretch of East Tremont Avenue has been subject to several fatal accidents over the past few years.
In October 2013, 74-year-old Angel Figueroa was struck and killed by three cars between Mayflower and Puritan avenues while trying to cross the roadway, not far from where Nin was hit.
The frequency of accidents at this location is a major concern of area residents .
“Drivers have to slow down when they drive through this area because the street bends and has multiple blind spots,” said John Cerini, president at Bronx Tax Man, who distributed ‘One Death On Our Streets Is Too Many – Slow Down’ flyers to drivers on the two-year anniversary of Figueroa’s death.
“We need better solutions on main streets like this one – such as speed cameras, extra lighting and extra signage, to prevent these incidents from taking place in the future.”
“This particular stretch of East Tremont Avenue, which has claimed at least two lives in the last three years, is one of the worst stretches in this area,” said Councilman James Vacca.
“It’s a shame – a prime example of somebody who is working hard and making the most of their life and then somebody comes and just takes it away,” said Mary Jane Musano, president of the Waterbury LaSalle Community Association. “What kind of person would do this and completely disregard somebody else’s life? ”
“Cyclists always have to worry about reckless drivers,” said Bob Bider, the 45th Precinct Community Council president. “However, it’s always important for cyclists to wear appropriate gear, especially at night, including helmets, bright clothing and reflectors, so drivers know they are there. ”
A GoFundMe page was started to raise money and help Nin’s family with funeral expenses, which has not yet been arranged. However, the goal of $12,000 was met in just three days.
