Car Crash Mystery in Bronx

Police sat for hours at the scene of a crash involving an alleged stolen vehicle at Bronx Park Avenue and Wyatt Street. -Photo by David Greene

Teens Jump Out of Crashed Car and Disappear

Cops Won’t Say if Car was Actually Stolen

By David Greene 

Bronx Voice 

June 2, 2023

BRONX - An elderly resident of Bronx Park Avenue claims a stolen out-of-control SUV nearly ran him down after a head-on crash involving multiple vehicles that took place on the one-way street.

Providing few details, the NYPD has confirmed that a 2-vehicle crash was reported on Wyatt Street at Bronx Park Avenue, outside the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) West Farms Maintenance Yard parking lot. The incident was reported at 9:55 a.m. on May 23.

An NYPD official had previously told the Bronx Voice, "A 59-year-old male was at a red light in the vicinity... when an unknown motorist collided with his vehicle. The official continued, "The unknown operator then got out of the vehicle and fled westbound on Wyatt Street." He added that no injuries were reported.

"Angel" a resident of Bronx Park Avenue claimed he was cleaning his own vehicle when he was nearly mowed down as he was just steps away from the crash.

Angel, a resident of Bronx Park Avenue claimed he was nearly run over by the out-of-control vehicle. -Photo by David Greene

Angel later recalled, "Yeah, I almost got killed, I was standing right next to it. I was four inches away.”

Angel recalled how a street sign stood between him and the out-of-control vehicle that jumped the curb, struck another vehicle and the fence to the MTA parking lot. Angel continued, "He made a turn here so fast... he lost control.”

Angel added, "The car crashed over there on the sidewalk... and then I took a pipe, I said you sons-of-bitches, they were a bunch of teenagers.”

Angel recalled how he watched as four males, and one female teenager fled the crashed vehicle through its doors and windows before running down Wyatt Street towards Morris Park Avenue. He described the suspects as Black teenagers, between 16 and 18-years of age.

The Bronx Voice located two additional vehicle owners who claimed that their vehicles were also hit, but said that they did not file police reports for different reasons. This could  the reason why the NYPD is reporting that only two vehicles were involved instead of four.

Repeated requests to the NYPD to confirm the crash involved a stolen vehicle as well as confirming Angel's claim that 5 teenagers fled the scene-- went unanswered. The NYPD was also asked if the crash involved a new technology called 'StarChase" that was announced on April 11.

Officials announced the deployment of the StarChase GPS tag, the NYPD-used gadget can be fired at a stolen vehicle or a vehicle refusing to stop for police-- as the gummy like substance is attached to the fleeing vehicle and can be monitored by NYPD Aviation units from above. The technology is currently deployed during a 90-day pilot program, the trial program is set to expire in July.

During the announcement of the new technology, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell told reporters, "Throughout its history, the NYPD has leveraged the latest available technology and pioneered ways to do our critical work safely and effectively." She added, "For the NYPD to adapt, to improve, and to continue exceeding public safety expectations. But we want to be clear: The implementation of these technologies will be transparent, consistent, and always done in close collaboration with the people we serve.”

A second version of StarChase for the general public is also now in use and is about the size of a credit card and is stored inside a vehicle and if stolen, the device is activated, and the NYPD is able to track the vehicle.

By May 29, the NYPD had still not reported any arrests in the case and was unable to provide a description of the suspect or suspects; however, police continue to investigate.