Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Tree Crushes Car, Killing NYC Doctor in Westchester
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 21, 2008
Modified Mar 21, 2008
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
Jen Chung
Published Mar 21, 2008
Modified Mar 21, 2008
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 acting chief of medicine at Metropolitan Hospital was killed yesterday when strong winds uprooted a tree that crushed his car. Dr. John Corser was instantly killed, but somehow, his two children, ages 4 and 8, in the backseat were spared.
A state police sergeant, James Kranik, explained, "The front limb of the tree, shaped in a V or a Y, landed directly on top of the driver. He was killed instantly. The rear limb landed on the trunk. {The kids} were in between the two limbs, and ultimately that's what saved them."
Corser and his wife, Dr. Lourdes Figueroua, had moved from Brooklyn to Croton several years ago. Corser also directed the HIV program at Metropolitan Hospital and led the hospital's medical ethics program, according to the Journal News. The Journal News also mentioned, back in 2004, there were two separate incidents in Westchester where falling trees killed the parents in the front seats but the children in the back survived.
Metropolitan's medical director Dr. Richard Stone said, "Dr. Corser was an esteemed member of Metropolitan Hospital's staff where he served as acting chief of medicine with great commitment, compassion and skill. He was a beloved personal physician to a great number of patients in the East Harlem community, many of whom are desperately ill."
Tagged
downed tree
John Corser
westchester
wind
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Forest Hills Stadium can keep its concerts under deal with neighbors
Neighbors had complained of traffic and loud concerts for years.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 2:49 p.m. ET
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
NYC Council to grill Mamdani officials on collapsed Hunts Point Produce Market deal
Council Speaker Julie Menin called the $650 million plan "mission critical."
By
Elizabeth Kim
NYPD arrests 17-year-old in fatal Midtown subway platform shooting
By
Charles Lane
Ex-Adams aide accused of pocketing kickbacks from community program funds
By
Samantha Max
MTA to begin 6-year project to upgrade signal tech on A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
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 .