It was a normal end-of-the-summer night for a 21-year-old girl and her female friend as they were riding their bicycles on Hylan Boulevard near Redgrave Avenue in Staten Island. Then tragedy paid them both an unexpected visit, changing everything, as a fishing boat that was being towed by a truck in front of them came unhitched, violently smashing into them both. 21 Year-Old Alexa Cioffi was killed and the other bicyclist, her friend, was critically injured.
The fatal accident happened very fast. Cioffi and the other biker were riding along when the truck towing the boat on a trailer tried to switch lanes and overtake the bicyclists. Police reports indicate that the boat then came loose and struck the bicyclists, pinning Cioffi underneath it. She was trapped underneath the boat as it was attempting to come to a stop. Both bicyclists were rushed from the gruesome scene by emergency personnel to Staten Island University North Hospital. It was there that Cioffi was pronounced dead. The 2nd bicyclist, whose name has yet to be released, remains at the hospital in critical condition.
Residents reported hearing the collision that has stirred this tight-knit community. Many flocked outside on the warm evening and were shocked at what they saw. An investigation by the New York City Police Department’s Collision Investigation Squad is ongoing. The investigators will attempt to determine how this accident happened, focusing on who secured the boat to the trailer and whether the actions of the driver while switching lanes contributed to boat being jarred loose from the trailer. The connection between the two was obviously precarious.
Regardless of the outcome of the investigation there is a group of family and friends who are mourning the loss of a too young 21-year-old girl and other hopeful family and friends praying for the recovery of the other bicyclist. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who love these 2 young women.
This is not the type of accident that anyone envisions being involved with. Sometimes bad things just happen to decent people. There is very little sense to make out of the tragic loss of a young person. We hope anyone who was impacted by this senseless accident is able to summon the strength to move forward with their life.
Block O’Toole & Murphy is a law firm that is committed to fighting for the victims and their family members of serious accidents. You may learn more about the firm at www.blockotoole.com.