Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
SUV That Flew Off FDR Reportedly "Doing About 112 MPH"
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 16, 2011
Modified Jul 16, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jul 16, 2011
Modified Jul 16, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The Land Rover SUV carrying 7 people that flew off the FDR and onto a taxi cab at E. 23rd street in Kips Bay may have been "doing about 112 mph." According to the Daily News' police sources, the driver was speeding and lost control, sending the vehicle over the elevated roadway and onto cabbie Atif Raza, who has only been driving a taxi for three months. "I couldn't believe it," a witness tells the paper, "I was actually seeing a car come off the divider and flip. It was flying." All eight people involved in the accident were injured, but only two critically, and one woman even "walked away" from the wreckage.
Raza was reportedly talking to his cousin over the phone while he was stopped at a red light, when the SUV landed on top of his cab. "All of a sudden he started screaming," his cousin said. Authorities had to pull the roof off of the Land Rover to extract the victims. We called the NYPD for comment, but they couldn't confirm the reports that the driver was speeding, and told us that no charges have been filed in the accident.
Tagged
accident
cabbies
FDR
kip's bay
manhattan
speeding
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC Council to consider earlier Legionella reporting after deadly outbreaks
A bill facing a hearing Monday would require cooling tower owners to notify city health officials when bacteria levels reach a much lower threshold.
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 7:36 p.m. ET
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
Staten Island fire injures 2, but spares historic 'Godfather' church
Dozens of firefighters responded to the blaze, which started in a vacant warehouse. It was contained within three hours.
By
Giulia Heyward
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD identifies Bronx man, 26, killed in Midtown subway shooting
By
Ryan Kost
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Phil Corso
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .