By Bill Parry
A Bronx woman was struck and killed by a Q53 bus Monday night while crossing Broadway and 74th Street in Jackson Heights around 6 p.m., the NYPD said.
The 39-year-old bus driver remained at the scene and has not been charged, according to police. The 25-year-old woman was identified Tuesday as Martha Tibillin-Guamug, authorities said.
The bus was making a right turn onto Broadway when the collision occurred after a heavy snowfall had ended, police said.
“Traffic is a nightmare with all the buses coming and going,” said a worker named Jose at Broadway Wine & Liquor, at 73-20 Broadway. “There’s always people running in and out of the traffic trying to make their bus or subway.”
Broadway and 74th Street is a transit hub where straphangers can catch the No. 7, E, F, M and R subway lines. There is also a busy bus depot at the location.
A Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman said the incident was still under investigation.
Cristina Furlong, co-founder of Make Queens Safer, said the intersection of Broadway and 74th Street is a major concern.
“The [city] Department of Transportation had done a visioning study there and put up some barriers where you are not supposed to cross, but they didn’t teach pedestrians how to navigate them,” she said.
Safety education and the Monday night collision will be discussed at the advocacy group’s town hall meeting at the Renaissance School, at 35-59 81st St., Sunday between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights) and state Assemblyman Francisco Moya (D-Jackson Heights) were expected to attend along with representatives from the 108th and 115th precincts.
