New York, New York — A 41-year-old father of two was killed after a bicyclist struck him during his early-morning walk to work through Central Park, leaving his family and New York’s steamfitters community mourning a man remembered as a devoted husband, father and hardworking union member.
Richie O’Brien was walking through Central Park around 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 23 when a cyclist traveling north on the park’s East Drive near East 84th Street collided with him, according to police and his family.
The impact sent O’Brien to the ground and caused severe head trauma. Emergency medical personnel rushed him to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he remained critically injured before dying Sunday, according to his family.
Father of Two Was on His Way to Work
O’Brien was heading to his job as a steamfitter when the fatal collision occurred.
His family described him as a proud Local 638 Steamfitter who went to work every day to provide for his wife, Ronni, and their two daughters, Kylie and Mia. Kylie is 12, while Mia is 8.
O’Brien was working on a project at the nearby Metropolitan Museum of Art, according to Brian Hunt, president of the steamfitters’ union.
For his family, the morning began like so many others. But O’Brien’s routine walk through the park became his final trip to work.
“Although our hearts are broken by this unimaginable loss, Richie’s legacy will live on,” his family posted on a fundraiser established following the crash.
Witness Describes Terrifying Moments
Laura Sackler, who was finishing her morning run near the Metropolitan Museum of Art, said she heard the collision shortly after it happened.
“I heard the impact and turned around, and tragically, Richie and the cyclist were both on the ground,” she told The Post.
Sackler said O’Brien was unconscious from the moment of the crash and never regained consciousness.
“Richie unfortunately was unconscious from that moment forward and never gained consciousness. He was bleeding,” she said.
The cyclist, a 32-year-old man, remained at the scene after the collision. According to Sackler, he appeared shaken and confused as bystanders gathered around O’Brien. A doctor was among the people who stopped to help.
“He was just in disbelief because he had been part of something. He was like, ‘I can’t believe this,’” Sackler said.
Bystanders Tried to Help
As O’Brien remained on the ground, pedestrians and other park users formed a circle around him while waiting for emergency assistance. Sackler said some people who were continuing through the park became frustrated by the gathering.
“There were some aggressive cyclists going by during this tragic moment who were yelling at us to move out of the way because we were in their way causing problems,” she said.
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The incident also renewed concerns about how cyclists, runners and pedestrians share Central Park’s busy roads and paths.
“One of the issues is that the culture of the cyclists in there, they’re really using it like a trackway. They’re really using it like an area where they’re able to get their training and speed work in around the park,” Sackler said.
She emphasized that she supports cyclists and runners using the park but said speed remains a serious concern.
Police Continue Investigating the Crash
The cyclist, who police identified as 32 years old, was treated at the scene and declined an ambulance, according to the NYPD. Police have not publicly identified him or said whether he will face charges.
The NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The investigation is expected to examine what happened in the moments leading up to the collision and how the bicyclist and pedestrian were traveling along East Drive.
Union Mourns a Beloved Coworker
Hunt remembered O’Brien as “a good influence to those around him.”
“Like many of us here in New York City, Richie woke up early every morning and came to work to help keep the New York City economy moving by building the projects that we build every day here,” Hunt told The Post.
“He was an example of what a good steamfitter is supposed to be, and for anybody working blue collar in the city, or anybody working white collar and anybody working in Manhattan.”
Hunt said the union community was struggling to process the loss.
“Everybody is still just reeling from the loss of Richie,” he said.
Family Says His Legacy Will Continue
O’Brien died early Sunday with his wife, Ronni, by his side, according to the family fundraiser. His brother-in-law, Jason Bullara, later wrote about O’Brien and thanked the strangers who stayed with him after the collision.
Bullara also revealed that O’Brien donated three of his organs before his death, giving other people a chance at life.
“Even at the end of his life, he was able to give other people a chance at theirs,” Bullara wrote. “He was, quite simply, the best person I knew.
“And somehow, even in death, he was still giving to other people.”
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking Central Park tragedy? Share your condolences for Richie’s family and your thoughts on pedestrian and cyclist safety in New York City in the comments.
