A Sheepshead Bay man who allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian in Dyker Heights earlier this month has been charged with a series of traffic-related offenses, police confirmed Monday.
The driver, 72-year-old Bruce Zurrow, was arrested on Monday and charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to show care, following an investigation.
On Jan. 16, as he made a left turn onto Bay Ridge Avenue from 13th Avenue, Zurrow allegedly fatally struck a 52-year-old pedestrian, Xiaohong Chen, as she crossed Bay Ridge Avenue just a few blocks from her home. Zurrow remained on the scene after the crash, police said.
Paramedics transported Chen to Maimonides Medical Center in critical condition, but she later died of her injuries.
Zurrow’s license plate has been hit with 27 camera-issue issued speeding tickets and three parking tickets since 2018, according How’s My Driving NY.
‘One step closer to justice’
Chen, whose funeral took place Monday, came to the United States ten years ago and had been living in Dyker Heights with her son while her husband, Wei Zhao, worked out of state.
Chen was on her way home from grocery shopping when she was killed on Bay Ridge Avenue, according to her heartbroken husband who held a press conference Jan. 19 alongside state Sen. Iwen Chu. Zhao set up an online fundraiser to get him and his son through the aftermath of Chen’s death, as he is unable to leave the state to work due to now being his son’s main caregiver.
The GoFundMe has so far raised over $26,000 of its $50,000 goal, with funds said to be going toward Chen’s burial, living expenses, and mental health counseling.
Following Chen’s funeral on Monday, Chu said she will remain in contact with Zhao as he faces an “uncertain and difficult future, financially and emotionally.”
“As the family says goodbye to Xiaohong Chen today, we are one step closer to justice,” Chu said. “I thank the NYPD for its investigation and arrest in this case. Nothing will take the pain away from this tragedy, but I hope the family can find comfort from their grief and heal together. Dangerous driving has consequences, and a family shouldn’t need to mourn the loss of a mother and wife. With this arrest, I hope to see justice delivered for the sake of the family.”
