Recently released body camera footage of the 2023 crash reveals that a police officer, who was involved in a police pursuit, veered into oncoming traffic on a Manhattan bridge and tragically struck and killed a dirt bike rider.
According to the police, Samuel Williams, aged 36, was riding an unregistered dirt bike in Manhattan when he carelessly entered the University Heights Bridge heading towards the Bronx on May 28, 2023.
While riding his dirt bike, Williams encountered a sudden and unexpected collision. An officer, who was engaged in pursuing reckless dirt bikers, veered into Williams’ path, resulting in a collision with the police cruiser. The body cam video released by the New York Attorney General Letitia James‘ office on Friday captures the incident, showing Williams being propelled into the air upon impact.
According to Patrick Hendry, the President of the Police Benevolent Association, Williams was driving recklessly when the police tried to pull him over.
“These police officers were simply carrying out their duties, trying to put a stop to the dangerous driving of unregistered mopeds on the streets of the city,” remarked Hendry. “While it is indeed a tragic case, it is crucial that the investigation thoroughly examines all the facts and circumstances.”
According to Attorney Jamie Santana, the police specifically singled out Williams for riding an illegal vehicle on city streets. This violation would typically result in a traffic summons and the confiscation of the prohibited ride.
According to the attorney, rather than opting for an alternative approach, the officer took a perilous action that resulted in Williams suffering a severe and ultimately fatal leg injury. Tragically, Williams lost his life at St. Barnabas Hospital the following day.
The family of Williams has filed a lawsuit against the NYPD in state court, and they are also urging Attorney General James to press criminal charges against the officer involved. In the body camera footage, the officer is only identified by his last name, Perez.
According to Santana, it was clear that the officer’s life was not in danger in this particular situation. Williams was not driving at a high speed and he was not suspected of committing any felony.
“According to eyewitness accounts, Officer Perez deliberately crossed the double yellow line with his vehicle, resulting in Mr. Williams being forcefully thrown from his bike and suffering a severe leg injury. The incident has left Mr. Williams in a state of immense pain and distress.”
The video released by James’ office reveals another NYPD vehicle in front of Perez, attempting a similar blocking maneuver that Williams managed to narrowly avoid.
In the partner’s body camera footage, it is revealed that Officer Perez attempted to strike a passing motorcyclist with an asp as he exited the police cruiser and approached Williams.
The bike of Williams can be observed, with one wheel in the air, forcefully thrown against the wall of the bridge.
According to the attorney, additional footage that was not made public but shown to Santana and the victim’s family depicts the police apprehending Williams, who is injured and handcuffed, on the hood of a police vehicle. In the footage, Williams can be heard pleading with the officers to allow him to rest on the roadway.
According to the lawyer, the individual had been in agony for a while before the arrival of the ambulance. He pleaded with the officers to help him off the vehicle’s hood so that he could be placed on the ground in the hopes of reducing the excruciating pain caused by the severe leg injury.
According to Santana, after Williams’ death, his family claims that the only communication they received from the city was a bill for $3,429.23 sent by city Comptroller Brad Lander’s office to his mother. The bill was a claim for payment for the damages that Perez’s vehicle sustained in the crash.
Lander blamed the late delivery of the claim to the Williams’ family on a lack of communication with the NYPD.
“I am appalled by this situation. It seems that the NYPD provided us with a report that neglected to mention the tragic death of Mr. Williams, or even the fact that it involved a police chase. As a result, we relied on their report when submitting a claim form,” expressed Lander in a statement to the Daily News. “I sincerely apologize for the family’s devastating loss, and I am taking immediate action to conduct an internal review of our procedures to prevent any similar occurrences in the future.”
Sha-Sha Prince, the sister of Williams, shared that he was a resident of the Soundview section of the Bronx and worked at a convenience store. Williams, a devoted father to a 7-year-old girl, led a fulfilling life in his community.
Prince described his close bond with his sole daughter, who has faced challenges following the passing of her father.
“They had a really close bond,” Prince expressed. “It is incredibly difficult for her to come to terms with the fact that her father is no longer with us…they took his life and we are left with no explanation as to why or what prompted such a tragic event,” she lamented.
According to Transportation Alternatives, a bicycle advocacy group, at least 315 New Yorkers have been injured and seven have been killed in police chases this year.
NYPD car chases have seen a significant increase during the Adams administration. According to NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell, this rise in car chases is a result of the police’s efforts to crack down on the use of illegal dirt bikes and ghost cars, which are vehicles equipped with fake license plates.
During a press conference on July 6, 2023, he confidently declared, “Gone are the days when people believed they could easily outsmart us.”
The NYPD maintains that high-speed chases are occasionally necessary, despite facing criticism from police watchdogs who argue that the potential benefits do not outweigh the risks involved.
Last year, Chell emphasized the inherent danger of pursuing any car. According to Chell, striking the right balance and making informed decisions are crucial when deciding to engage in such pursuits. He also advised bosses to prioritize safety and call off pursuits if necessary.
After facing significant backlash for their police pursuits, the NYPD decided to take a different approach and introduced new policies. Under these policies, supervisors are now required to give their approval before a pursuit can take place. The decision to pursue must be carefully evaluated, taking into consideration various factors, including the potential harm it could cause to the public.