Bus Driver Who Killed Chelsea Cyclist Hit With Minor Charge: NYPD

CHELSEA, NY — The driver of a bus that hit and killed a cyclist in June has been charged with a minor traffic violation, police said.

Dave Lewis was slapped with a misdemeanor on Sept. 5 after the death of Dan Hanegby, an NYPD spokeswoman said. He was charged with failing to yield to a bicycle, a misdemeanor crime under New York's Right of Way Law, and failing to exercise due care.

Lewis was issued a desk appearance ticket which are used for less serious crimes and allow a defendant to remain free on their own recognizance before arraignment, according to the Manhattan district attorney's office. Gothamist first reported news of charges against Lewis on Thursday.

Contact information for Lewis's attorney was not immediately available. He is not scheduled to be arraigned until Oct. 31. He could face additional charges at the arraignment.

Hanegby died while riding a Citibike in Chelsea on June 12. The 36-year-old father of two was riding east on West 26th Street when his bike collided with the bus, police said at the time. After the collision, Hanegby "fell to the ground which resulted in the rear tires rolling over the bicyclist," police said.

Lewis, 52, stayed at the scene of the crash, police said.

Hanegby's death sparked outrage among the New York cycling community. Cycling activists faulted police for not charging Lewis sooner and for not prosecuting bad drivers more aggressively.

Days after Hanegby died, a second cyclist died in Chelsea crash, renewing calls for more bike lanes, and in particular for more protected lanes on crosstown streets, like the street was Hanegby was riding on when he was hit.

The city's transportation department said last month that would review plans to rollout more crosstown bike lanes.

"We are actively developing a series of crosstown bike route proposals and will be coming to the community with more details in the near future," a transportation department spokesperson said in September. The department hasn't yet released additional details about the proposals.

Image credit: Kathleen Culliton / Patch