Motorcycle Rider Dies In Fatal Williamsburg Crash
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A truck driver spent time in police custody early Saturday in what police mistakenly thought was a hit-and-run death of a motorcyclist.
Traffic safety investigators are investigating the fatal accident that occurred in Williamsburg around 5:00 am.
Police initially said a bread truck making its daily rounds collided with a 68-year-old man on a Suzuki motorcycle at Bushwick Avenue and Montrose Street around 5:00 am.
Police said the truck fled the scene and the driver was arrested without incident a half-mile away at Manhattan and Grand Streets.
The victim was rushed to Woodhull Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
After reviewing surveillance footage, authorities determined the truck was not involved in the accident and the driver was released from custody without charges.
Police say a cab made a left hand turn in front of the motorcycle that was heading north on Bushwick Avenue, causing the rider to lose control and the motorcycle to skid underneath the bread truck which had been parked while the driver was making a delivery.
When the driver returned to the truck and saw the motorcycle underneath his vehicle, he had no legal obligation to investigate so he could not be charged with leaving the scene of an accident according to authorities.
The investigation continues.