Bus driver charged in first Citi Bike fatality
A coach bus driver was charged Tuesday in the death of an investment banker riding a Citi Bike — the first fatality involving the bike-share program in New York.
Dave Lewis, 52, was arraigned on a misdemeanor and a violation in the death of Credit Suisse banker and former Israeli army sergeant Dan Hanegby in Chelsea on June 1.
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His lawyer, Jeremy Saland, called the crash a tragic accident.
“First and foremost, my client is distraught and deeply saddened for Mr. Hanegby and his family,” the attorney said. “This was a tragic accident, but an accident nonetheless, not a crime.”
“Mr. Lewis was neither negligent nor reckless in his driving,” he said.
Lewis, who drives a commuter bus, allegedly told a witness that he was headed west on 26th Street near Eighth Avenue when he honked at Hanegby, who was riding in the middle of the road and wearing headphones, according to court papers.
After passing the bicyclist at about 8:15 a.m., Lewis told the witness he “heard a commotion, felt something, and looked in his mirror and saw the cyclist on the floor,” the complaint states.
Authorities said the father of two became sandwiched between a parked car and the bus and lost his balance. He tumbled off the bike and under the rear wheels of the bus.
The 36-year-old was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Lewis remained on the scene until cops arrived.
It was the first time since Citi Bike started its ride-share program in 2013 that a rider was killed, a spokesman previously said.
Hanegby, who was born and raised in Tel Aviv, was a gifted tennis player. He was ranked the No. 1 player in Israel at the age of 16 and held the title for two years, the Brown Daily Herald reported.
Lewis faces up to 30 days in jail if convicted of the top charge of causing physical injury by failing to observe right of way. He also faces a violation for failure to exercise due care.
He was released without bail Tuesday and declined to comment as he left Manhattan Criminal Court.