StreetsPetition: NYPD – Release Details of the Investigation into the Death of Matthew von Ohlen

In the early hours of July 2, 2016, 35-year-old Matthew von Ohlen was struck and killed by the driver of a black, late-model Chevrolet Camaro as he was riding his bike home from work in Williamsburg's Grand Street bike lane. Police who reviewed surveillance video of the crash told WPIX TV that the driver appeared to slow down and steer into bike lane, intentionally striking von Ohlen before running over him and dragging him 30 feet, before speeding off. Von Ohlen died in the hospital not long after, the victim of severe trauma.

Four days later, the NYPD's 90th Precinct took to Twitter to announce that police had located the car involved in the crash. But that was the last public announcement made regarding the investigation into von Ohlen's death. More than four months have passed since.

The failure of the police to catch Matthew von Ohlen's killer fits a pattern. As Gothamist reports today, the NYPD has made arrests in just 34% of the fatal hit-and-run crashes that occurred in New York City between July 2015 and June 2016. When hit-and-run crashes in which the victim suffered an injury are included, the arrest rate drops to a meager 8%.

Petition

To NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill:vonohlennydn.jpg

Please order the NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad and 90th Precinct to release updated information regarding the July 2, 2016 crash that killed Matthew von Ohlen.

Police told WPIX TV and other media that the driver who struck von Ohlen appeared to do so intentionally, slowing down before steering into the bike lane in which von Ohlen was riding, and then striking von Ohlen and dragging him for 30 feet before speeding off.

On July 6, the 90th Precinct announced via its Twitter account that the black Chevrolet Camaro involved in the crash had been located, but that is the last bit of information the public has received about the case. That's unacceptable.

It's time for the NYPD to bring the public up to speed on the investigation. To whom is the car registered? Who was driving the car? Why has no arrest been made?

Matthew von Ohlen's family, friends and colleagues – and the public at large – deserve to know.

Who's signing

173 SIGNATURES
GOAL: 1,000 signatures

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Showing 159 reactions

signed 2016-11-02 14:06:38 -0400
signed 2016-11-02 14:04:10 -0400
Sebastian Delmont
signed via 2016-11-02 13:55:54 -0400
signed 2016-11-02 13:48:50 -0400
signed 2016-11-02 13:38:23 -0400
signed 2016-11-02 13:17:12 -0400
signed 2016-11-02 13:05:16 -0400
The silence has been deafening. I didn’t know Matthew but his senseless murder has been very disturbing – and then to be followed by an invisible (if any) NYPD investigation. I take this all personally.
signed 2016-11-02 13:04:15 -0400
signed 2016-11-02 12:58:36 -0400
Just this one time, disprove my belief, based on four decades of personal experience and close observation, that in matters of transportation, traffic and streets the NYPD operates as a legalized protection racket for drivers.
signed 2016-11-02 12:57:57 -0400
signed 2016-11-02 12:47:18 -0400
signed via 2016-11-02 11:30:03 -0400
signed 2016-11-01 12:31:16 -0400
signed via 2016-10-30 06:38:49 -0400
Patrick J Byrne
signed via 2016-10-29 09:49:16 -0400
signed via 2016-10-29 09:15:36 -0400
signed via 2016-10-28 13:01:50 -0400
Do the right thing, NYPD! Bring all information to light. Arrest the suspect and charge him/her with murder. Stop protecting your own!
signed 2016-10-28 11:24:43 -0400
The NYPD can choose to be a partner in a safer city – or can choose to continue to be obstructionist and work against justice. Seems like a simple choice, so help me understand why the NYPD fails to cooperate with the city they are supposed to protect.
signed via 2016-10-27 20:34:50 -0400
I would like to be assured that information concerning this unfortunate incident is released and the future safety of cyclists is a priority
signed via 2016-10-27 19:44:41 -0400
signed via 2016-10-27 19:19:33 -0400
@petekachu tweeted link to this page. 2016-10-27 18:31:03 -0400
Sign the petition: StreetsPetition: Matthew von Ohlen http://www.streetspac.org/streetspetition_matthew_von_ohlen?recruiter_id=8337
signed via 2016-10-27 18:30:44 -0400
signed 2016-10-27 15:50:20 -0400
signed via 2016-10-27 15:34:18 -0400
signed via 2016-10-27 15:28:29 -0400
signed via 2016-10-27 15:20:16 -0400
signed via 2016-10-27 15:18:37 -0400
signed via 2016-10-27 15:09:49 -0400
I hope something comes from this. The public has been left in the dark for far too long. The NYPD needs to stop covering up what happened. We demand transparency and justice!
posted about this on Facebook 2016-10-27 14:39:07 -0400
Sign the petition: StreetsPetition: Matthew von Ohlen
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