NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A Queens postal service truck driver was arrested and charged hours after a fatal hit-and-run in Hell's Kitchen over the weekend that left one man dead, authorities announced Monday.
James Simmons, 61, was taken into custody at approximately 3:41 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, and charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, officials said.
At approximately 5:33 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, police responded to a 911 call reporting a pedestrian struck near the intersection of West 55th Street and Ninth Avenue.
An investigation by the NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad determined that Simmons was operating a 2019 Peterbilt USPS box truck, traveling southbound on Ninth Avenue approaching West 55th Street. As he approached the intersection, the truck struck a 66-year-old man who was crossing Ninth Avenue mid-block.
EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim pedestrian to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The victim was identified as Chester Mazur, a 66-year-old resident who lived just around the corner.
Following the collision, Simmons failed to remain at the scene, continuing southbound on Ninth Avenue in the box truck before police tracked him down later that afternoon, according to officials.
The investigation remains ongoing by the NYPD Highway District's Collision Investigation Squad.
