Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Police are still investigating bike crash that killed dad of 2 in Central Park
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 29, 2026
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 .
Gofundme
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 29, 2026
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
A father of two who was critically injured when he was struck by a Central Park cyclist last week has died — leaving his family trying to raise money to get by without him.
Richard O’Brien, 41, was walking to work around 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 23 when he was knocked to the ground by a 32-year-old man heading north on a pedal bike, according to the NYPD and the family’s GoFundMe page. Officials said it happened on East Drive, near 84th Street.
The crash left O’Brien with “a severe and devastating brain injury,” according to the GoFundMe, which added that he died “
peacefully in the early morning hours of Sunday, September 27” with his wife by his side.
“Although our hearts are broken by this unimaginable loss, Richie’s legacy will live on. He was able to give the gift of life to others through organ donation, helping those in need even in his final moments,” the post continued.
By Tuesday, the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad was still looking into the mechanics of the crash to determine how exactly the cyclist hit O’Brien. Police officials said it was still unclear whether O’Brien saw the bike coming, and said they did not yet have conclusive information about whether the cyclist would be charged. According to the NYPD, the cyclist stayed at the scene of the crash, and was treated for minor injuries from getting thrown onto the pavement.
O’Brien was a “proud Local 638 Steamfitter” who “went to work every day to provide for his family,” according to the online fundraiser. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters who are 8 and 12 years old, the page continued, adding that the money would go to help the family pay their mortgage. By Tuesday morning, it had almost reached its goal of $150,000.
“No family should have to worry about finances while facing something this heartbreaking,” the organizer wrote.
O’Brien and his family live in Port Jefferson Station, according to police.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Tagged
news
nypd
public safety
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: There's finally stuff inside the Times Square tower where the ball drops
Because it used to sit vacant for most of the year, here are your early links: Rangers goalie scored, "It's a Wonderful Life" coming to Broadway, there's dignity in scaffolding and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 2, 2026 at 9:20 a.m. ET
NYC subway dragging death highlights an old school MTA failsafe
The man dragged to death by a subway train in Brooklyn earlier this week put riders across the city on edge.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
News
NYC subway dragging death highlights an old school MTA failsafe
The man dragged to death by a subway train in Brooklyn earlier this week put riders across the city on edge.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
We were the victim': Brooklyn shelter's new CEO speaks after corruption scandal
By
Ryan Kost
Badly burned body found in a trashed and abandoned Jamaica Queens lot, NYPD says
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Brooklyn DA brings back warrant-clearing event as quality-of-life tickets surge
By
Ben Feuerherd
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 .