A pedestrian's life was abruptly ended in a gruesome incident over Labor Day weekend on the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. As reported by PIX11, 36-year-old James Mossetty was struck by a 2021 Toyota RAV4 while crossing York Avenue outside of the crosswalk at about 5 a.m. Saturday. The driver, identified as 71-year-old Abdul Hakim, continued on, dragging Mossetty under the vehicle until he was dislodged on the lower level of the bridge.
Following the collision, Mossetty suffered head and body trauma resulting in his death at a local hospital. The NYPD told amNewYork that Hakim fled the scene, but police officers were able to track him down, arresting and charging him with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. Arrested within the confines of the 115th Precinct, the details surrounding Hakim's capture by the authorities were not immediately clear.
The investigation into the disturbing crash is being carried out by the NYPD's Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad. Mossetty, hailing from the Upper East Side, was found to have been lodged beneath the SUV, dragged for an approximate distance of 13 blocks before being dislodged, sources explained to amNewYork. Reports did not disclose Hakim's speed during the incident or further details of the circumstances leading to the initial encounter.
This tragedy unfolded just a day before another traffic-related incident involving an NYPD sergeant who was struck by a hit-and-run driver while directing traffic in East Flatbush. With police in an active search for the operator of a black sedan with orange license plates, the victim was reported to be in stable condition at Kings County Hospital.
