Former New York mayor faces lawsuit in car accident

The former mayor of New York City told authorities he was taking his wife to the hospital when he struck a bicyclist on June 30. The cyclist, a bike courier, accused David Dinkins of hit-and-run in the car accident that he says has kept him out of work since that day. The case is set to be heard in Manhattan Supreme Court.

According to the 89-year-old Dinkins, he was taking his wife to the emergency room on the advice of their doctor when the accident occurred. A bicycle courier was allegedly struck by the man’s car, a fact the former mayor was informed of by a bystander as they approached the hospital. Dinkins then continued on to the hospital and saw his wife admitted before returning to the scene.

Dinkins said he was interviewed by NYPD officers at the hospital and that his car was also inspected. He maintains he was unaware of any contact between his vehicle and the cyclist. The 32-year-old cyclist is suing for personal injury after suffering a broken ankle in the alleged collision. He says his employment has been affected by his injury, though the specific damages for which he is suing were not reported. 

If New York police determine the former mayor was at fault for striking the bicyclist in the car accident, they could press charges against him. There is no indication that criminal charges will be forthcoming, however. Nevertheless, criminal convictions and/or charges are not a prerequisite for the cyclist to file the personal injury suit in civil court. It will be necessary, though, for him to provide material evidence of Mayor Dinkins’ negligence in this case. 

Source: New York Post, “Dinkins says he was driving wife to hospital during bicyclist hit-and-run“, Kenneth Garger, Sept. 3, 2016