Truck Jumps Curb, Kills Pedestrian on Bowery in New York, NY

New York, NY (September 11, 2026) – An elderly man died, and two women were hurt on Thursday morning, September 10, after a flatbed truck veered onto a sidewalk at a busy Lower Manhattan intersection.

According to New York Police, the 66-year-old driver was turning right from Canal Street onto Bowery in Chinatown around 10:20 a.m. when the cargo-loaded truck jumped the curb and hit three pedestrians. A 77-year-old man and two women, ages 71 and 52, were hit.

The truck kept moving before it struck a sedan near Hester Street and came to a stop. All three pedestrians were taken to Bellevue Hospital, where the 77-year-old man later died. The two women were listed in stable condition.

The driver was taken into custody and had not been charged as of the latest update. Investigators said he showed no obvious signs of impairment.

Investigators are still working to determine what caused the truck to leave the roadway. 

We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the man who lost his life, and we're thinking of the two women as they recover.

How Long Do Families Have to File a Wrongful Death Claim in New York, NY?

Under New York law, the personal representative of a deceased person's estate generally has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.

This deadline runs separately from any survival action, which allows the estate to pursue compensation for the person's own pain and suffering before death. 

Families that pursue these claims tend to face substantial losses beyond funeral costs, such as lost financial support, lost services, and the emotional toll of losing a loved one unexpectedly. 

New York permits recovery for pecuniary losses tied to a wrongful death, but it does not currently allow damages for a family's grief or loss of companionship. 

When a commercial vehicle is involved, additional layers of liability can come into play, including the truck driver's employer and potentially the company responsible for maintaining or loading the vehicle. 

Untangling those relationships requires subpoenaing maintenance records, driver logs, and cargo manifests before they're lost or altered. A wrongful death lawyer who handles a case like this typically works to identify every liable party early, since commercial insurance policies and corporate ownership structures can complicate who ultimately pays a claim.

At Metro Law, we know that families dealing with a sudden loss like this usually don't know where to start. Sorting out liability, insurance coverage, and filing deadlines can feel overwhelming on top of grief. 

Our team can walk you through what New York's wrongful death process typically involves and answer all your questions about the timeline. If your family is facing a similar loss, reach out to Metro Law at (800) 469-6476. We are available to go over your options.