Former Cuomo Staffer Killed When Lyft Driver Kicks Him Out On Highway

DEWEY BEACH, DE — A former staff member for disgraced New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was killed on a Delaware highway Sunday when he was hit by a car following a disagreement with a Lyft driver who kicked him and his friends out of their vehicle, according to state police.

Sidney Wolf, 43, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and five friends hired a Lyft driver to pick them up in Dewey Beach and take them back to where they were staying in Bethany Beach, according to Delaware State Police.

While traveling on southbound Route 1 south in Dewey Beach just before 1:45 a.m., the group and the Lyft driver had an unspecified argument, according to police. The driver then terminated the ride and stopped in the southbound left lane, demanding all six passengers exit the vehicle, authorities said.

As Wolf and the other passengers were getting out of the car, a man driving a Toyota Corolla in the same lane approached the stopped vehicle. As the driver of the Corolla changed lanes to avoid striking the rear of the Lyft vehicle, he hit Wolf, who had climbed out of the right rear passenger seat of the Lyft vehicle and was standing on the road, according to police.

After striking Wolf, the Corolla immediately pulled over, police said. Meanwhile, the Lyft vehicle — possibly a Honda Pilot — fled southbound immediately after the crash. The other five passengers were not injured.

Wolf, who was married with two young daughters, was Cuomo's former senior policy adviser, according to the New York Post. Cuomo tweeted about Wolf's death Tuesday, saying he was "shocked and saddened" by the news.

"Sid was a phenomenal public servant who worked relentlessly for the betterment of all NY’ers," Cuomo tweeted. "My heart goes out to Lindsey & his two young daughters."

A GoFundMe page was created to assist Wolf's family. According to the page, Wolf was a "great husband, father, friend, and neighbor to so many of us." He also coached youth hockey, a friend told FOX 5 in Washington, D.C.

RELATED: Fundraiser Held For Family Of MD Man Killed On Dewey Beach Highway

A Lyft spokesperson released a statement to FOX 5:

"We are heartbroken by this incident. Our hearts are with the victim's loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, and we’ve reached out to the ride requester to offer our support. We are in contact with law enforcement and will assist them however we can."

Police have not yet identified the driver of the Lyft vehicle. The accident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the collision should call 302-703-3264. Information may also be provided by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or online at www.delawarecrimestoppers.com.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.