Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
SUV Driver Who Fatally Struck Woman On UWS Convicted Of Homicide
By
Ben Yakas
Published Nov 19, 2015
Modified Nov 19, 2015
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 .
David Torres
By
Ben Yakas
Published Nov 19, 2015
Modified Nov 19, 2015
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 SUV driver who fatally struck a pedestrian on the Upper West Side last year has been convicted of criminally negligent homicide.
Driver Roberto Mercado hit 61-year-old local resident Jean Chambers as she was crossing West End Avenue at 95th Street around 11 a.m. on July 10, 2014. Marcado, 52, was making a left turn onto West End while traveling eastbound on West 95th Street when he struck her. Chambers was transported to St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The incident happened only two blocks from where 9-year-old Cooper Stock was killed by a taxi driver earlier that year. Chambers's death led to a vigil/protest in the neighborhood in honor of all the pedestrians fatally struck there, and the the DOT eventually redesigned that part of West End.
According to Streetsblog, Mercado cut through West End Avenue’s southbound lanes while turning; when police asked why he was driving north in the southbound lane, he replied, "I thought I was in the right lane." Streetsblog also picked out Mercado's confession from court documents: “I killed her,” Mercado reportedly told police. "I killed her. I was going eastbound and made a left. I thought I had a flat, people were yelling and pointing. I stopped."
Mercado was not charged with any wrongdoing at the scene at the time. It took several months before he was charged with anything. He now faces up to four years in prison when he is sentenced in January.
"No conviction will bring Jean back," her husband, John Chambers, told DNAinfo. "I always expected that justice would prevail. I don't think I'll ever put this behind me."
Tagged
cis
HOMICIDE
jean chambers
pedestrian fatality
Upper West Side
uws
vision zero
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE 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
Published Oct 18, 2026 at 10:34 a.m. ET
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
News
Bail reform remains major issue in NY governor's race, 7 years after it became law
Repeat offenders are a big talking point in the governor's race.
By
Gino Fanelli
NYPD searching for 'person of interest' in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
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 .