Hell's Kitchen Dirt Bike Crash With Van Kills Rider

MIDTOWN, MANHATTAN — A dirt bike rider from the Lower East Side is dead after he crashed in to the back of a van in Midtown. Francisco Aracena was riding a dirt bike on 11th Avenue in Hell's Kitchen around 10:45 p.m. Saturday when he slammed into the back of a 2007 Ford Econoline van that was stopped at a red light, police said.

Emergency workers gave Aracena first aid and rushed him to Roosevelt Hospital with head injuries. Aracena, 31, died at the hospital, police said.

The 43-year-old driver of the van was not hurt and stayed at the scene, police said.

An investigation remains ongoing.

Photo credit: Courtesy of Brandon Krisel/Patch