An 84-year-old woman has become the third person to die following the October 9 crash in the Allerton section of the Bronx, where a driver struck several pedestrians in crosswalks near Allerton and Holland avenues. According to News 12 Bronx, Deloris Kennedy died on Monday after more than two weeks in an induced coma. For families coping with a loss like this, a Bronx wrongful death lawyer can explain what rights New York law provides and what steps to take while the police investigation continues.
Our thoughts are with the Kennedy and Johnson families and everyone affected by this crash.
What Happened in the Allerton Crash
Police said the crash happened at about 2:14 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026. According to CBS New York, an 81-year-old man driving a white Mercedes-Benz westbound on Allerton Avenue struck two pedestrians in one crosswalk, continued through a red light and struck two more pedestrians in a second crosswalk, then hit several vehicles in a chain-reaction collision.
Angel Johnson, 39, and Robin Kennedy, 57, died from their injuries. Deloris Kennedy, 84, was critically injured and died on Monday, October 26, her son told News 12. A 60-year-old woman was also hurt and is recovering. Family members told News 12 the women had been running errands and were in the crosswalk when they were hit.
Sources told News 12 the driver likely had a medical incident before the crash. As of the latest reports, police have not charged the driver, and the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad is investigating. “Our family is broken, and it will never be the same again,” George Kennedy told News 12.
Case Today (212) 977-2020
Why Crosswalk Crashes Are So Dangerous
Pedestrians have no protection when a vehicle enters a crosswalk, which is why even crashes at city speeds can cause catastrophic or fatal injuries, especially for older adults. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identifies pedestrians as among the most vulnerable road users, and New York City’s Vision Zero program tracks traffic deaths and focuses on intersection safety across all five boroughs.
Crosswalk crashes in New York City often involve:
- Drivers running red lights or failing to yield to pedestrians who have the right of way
- Speeding or loss of control on busy commercial corridors
- Drivers who are impaired, distracted or experiencing a medical emergency behind the wheel
- Chain-reaction collisions that push vehicles into pedestrians or other cars
Whether a medical event played a role in this crash is part of the ongoing investigation, and the cause has not been officially determined.
Your Legal Rights: What a Bronx Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Explain
When someone dies because of another party’s negligence, New York law allows a wrongful death claim. In general:
- Who files: A wrongful death action is brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate (the executor or administrator) on behalf of the surviving family members.
- Deadline: The wrongful death statute of limitations in New York is generally two years from the date of death. Shorter deadlines can apply in some situations, such as claims involving a city or other government entity, which usually require a Notice of Claim within 90 days.
- Related claims: The estate may also pursue a separate claim for the person’s conscious pain and suffering before death.
Pedestrians who survive a crash also have rights. Under New York’s No-Fault system, a pedestrian struck by a car can generally seek medical bills and lost wages through the vehicle’s No-Fault coverage, regardless of fault. To sue the driver for pain and suffering, the injured person must meet New York’s “serious injury” threshold, which includes injuries such as fractures, significant disfigurement and permanent limitation of a body function. The general deadline for a personal injury lawsuit in New York is three years.
A driver’s medical condition does not automatically end a claim. Questions such as whether the episode was sudden and unforeseeable, or whether the driver had prior warning signs, are often central to these cases. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can review medical records, police findings and insurance coverage to understand all available options.
What To Do After a Pedestrian Accident in the Bronx
- Get medical care right away. Some injuries, including head trauma, are not obvious at first.
- Get the police report. Note the precinct and the incident or report number.
- Preserve evidence. Save photos, names of witnesses and any information about nearby cameras. Video can be overwritten quickly.
- File for No-Fault benefits on time. No-Fault applications generally must be filed within 30 days of the accident.
- Don’t give recorded statements to an insurance company before getting legal advice.
- Talk to a lawyer early, especially if a loved one has died, so an estate can be opened and deadlines are protected.
How Chaikin Trial Group Can Help
Chaikin Trial Group represents injured New Yorkers and grieving families across the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island and Westchester. As a Bronx personal injury lawyer team, we investigate crashes independently, work with experts and handle insurance companies so families can focus on healing. Learn more about our wrongful death practice, our work as a car accident lawyer firm, and our past case results (past results do not guarantee a similar outcome).
If you or someone you love was hurt or killed in a Bronx car accident, contact a Bronx wrongful death lawyer at Chaikin Trial Group for a free consultation. You pay no fee unless we win. Contact us online.
Related: learn more about pedestrian accident claims in New York and what families can do after a crosswalk crash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the wrongful death statute of limitations in New York?
In most cases, a wrongful death lawsuit in New York must be filed within two years of the date of death. Claims against a city or public agency usually require a Notice of Claim within 90 days, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer quickly.
Do I need a Bronx pedestrian accident lawyer if the driver had a medical emergency?
It’s worth getting advice. Whether a medical event is a valid defense depends on the facts, including whether the driver knew or should have known of the risk. A lawyer can investigate those questions and identify every source of insurance coverage.
Who pays medical bills when a pedestrian is hit by a car in NYC?
Generally, the No-Fault coverage on the vehicle that struck the pedestrian pays medical bills and lost wages up to policy limits, regardless of fault. Claims beyond No-Fault depend on meeting New York’s serious injury threshold.
How much does a wrongful death lawyer in NYC cost?
At Chaikin Trial Group, consultations are free and we work on a contingency fee, which means you pay no legal fee unless we recover money for you. See our FAQs for more.
Conclusion
The Allerton crash has now taken three lives and left a community grieving. If your family is facing a loss like this, a Bronx wrongful death lawyer can help you understand your rights and protect important deadlines while the investigation continues. Contact Chaikin Trial Group for a free, confidential consultation.
Sources: News 12 Bronx; CBS New York (victims identified); CBS New York (initial report); NHTSA Pedestrian Safety; NYC Vision Zero.
Attorney Advertising. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.