Story summary
Richie O'Brien, 41, was struck by a cyclist while walking through Central Park in New York on September 23 at around 6:30 AM near West 84th Street. He suffered severe head trauma and died four days later after being treated at Weill Cornell Medical Center. The cyclist sustained minor injuries but remained at the scene.
O'Brien, a father of two daughters aged eight and twelve and a steamfitter, was on his way to work when he was hit. His wife, Ronni, was by his side when he passed away peacefully early Sunday morning. A GoFundMe page set up for the family has raised over $160,000 out of a $200,000 goal.
Safety advocates blame the redesign of Central Park’s drives, which includes new one-way lanes for cyclists and a single two-way lane for pedestrians, for increasing pedestrian risks. The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) implemented these changes in 2019. Since then, crashes have risen from 47 to 51 between December 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026.
The Central Park Conservancy has called for stricter enforcement of traffic rules and a 15 mph speed limit in the park’s drives. Meanwhile, pedestrian safety activists argue that these changes have created dangerous conditions for walkers.
Written for “Central Park Bike Crash Death” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
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A father-of-two has died after he was hit by a speeding cyclist while walking through New York City's Central Park on his way to work.
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he → see → work
Rich O'Brien, 41, was struck on Wednesday at around 6.36am near West 84 Street and fell to the floor before he tragically died four days later.
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he → strike → floor
According to the New York City Police Department, O'Brien was hit by a 32-year-old who had been cycling on a pedal bike, People reported.
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People → accord → bike
The father of two young daughters, aged eight and 12 years old, suffered 'severe head trauma' from the incident, while the cyclist was thrown off his bike and sustained minor injuries.
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cyclist → suffer → injuries
O'Brien was transported to New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center in critical condition.
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O'Brien → transport → condition
He tragically passed away 'peacefully' in the early hours of Sunday morning with his wife at his side, according to a GoFundMe for the heartbroken family.
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He → pass → family
'Although our hearts are broken by this unimaginable loss, Richie’s legacy will live on.
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legacy → break → loss
He was able to give the gift of life to others through organ donation, helping those in need even in his final moments,' the fundraiser said.
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fundraiser → give → moments
The 'loving husband and father' was said to have suffered a 'devastating' brain injury while on his way to work, as he did 'every day to provide for his family and give his wife, Ronni, and their two daughters, Kylie and Mia, the life they deserve.
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they → love → life
'
Rich O'Brien, 41, was struck on Wednesday at around 6.36am near the Metropolitan Museum and fell to the floor before he tragically died four days later
The father of two young daughters, aged eight and 12 years old, suffered 'severe head trauma' from the incident, while the cyclist was thrown off his bike and sustained minor injuries
O'Brien tragically passed away 'peacefully' in the early hours of Sunday morning with his wife at his side
'
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O'Brien → strike → side
Richie is a proud Local 638 Steamfitter,' the fundraiser noted.
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fundraiser → note → ?
Laura Sackler, who saw the incident unfold, told NYC Streets Blog that the cyclist looked 'very shocked and confused which turned into what I felt like was disbelief.
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I → see → what
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'He was clearly emotionally devastated and at one point near tears,' she added.
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she → devastate → tears
Sackler said O'Brien was knocked unconscious from the crash, lost a lot of blood and did not regain consciousness, noting that medical assistance 'took an incredibly long time' to reach him.
Jenicia O'Brien, the father's sister-in-law, said their family is 'heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of my beloved brother-in-law.
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family → say → law
O'Brien was 'deeply loved, cherished and will forever hold a special place in the hearts of everyone who knew him,' she added.
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she → love → him
Ken O'Brien, a close family member, heartbreakingly wrote on Monday: 'Please someone wake me up from this nightmare.'
Felicia Hettrich, a longtime friend of O'Brien's, wrote on Facebook that he was 'the best person I have ever known.'
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I → write → Facebook
Laura Sackler, a witness, said the cyclist seemed 'shocked and confused which turned into what I felt like was disbelief' and 'clearly emotionally devastated and at one point near tears'
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I → say → tears
O'Brien was 'deeply loved, cherished and will forever hold a special place in the hearts of everyone who knew him,' Jenicia O'Brien, the father's sister-in-law, said
Felicia Hettrich, a longtime friend of O'Brien's, said he was 'the best person I have ever known'
'
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I → love → O'Brien
I've known Rich since I was seven...
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I → know → Rich
The best father, husband and friend anyone could ever ask for.
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anyone → ask → ?
Rich and Ronni showed us all what true love is.
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love → show → all
His love for his daughters has set the bar for what a father should be,' she said.
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she → set → bar
'He taught us as friends that you show up, as he always has, and that you always finish your beer.
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you → teach → beer
Now it’s our turn to show up for him and his family.'
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it → ’ → him
Another friend of over 30 years said he considered O'Brien as 'a brother.'
'There isn't a better human being on this planet,' Matt Hettrich wrote.
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Hettrich → say → planet
'He’d drop what he was doing instantly if anyone needed help.
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anyone → drop → help
I strive to be even half the husband, father, and friend that he is.'
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he → strive → ?
Andrew Kozlowsky, another friend, said: 'Words can not describe the devastation of this tragic accident.'
'Rich is one of the best people I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
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I → say → privilege
He is selfless, kind, funny, an amazing father, husband and to me a lifelong friend,' he continued.
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he → continue → me
'I have known and been friends with Rich for over 30 years and the stories and memories are countless.
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stories → know → years
Rich was that one friend you could always rely on...
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you → rely → ?
I will forever miss you Rich.
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I → miss → you
The 'loving husband and father' was said to have suffered a 'devastating' brain injury while on his way to work, as he did 'every day to provide for his family and give his wife, Ronni, and their two daughters, Kylie and Mia, the life they deserve'
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they → love → life
Ronni O'Brien had shared countless photos of their young family travelling across the world, and many of O'Brien lovingly posing with his daughters.
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O'Brien → share → daughters
A funeral is set to be held on Friday in Port Jefferson Station.
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funeral → set → Station
The Daily Mail reached out to the New York City Police Department for comment.
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Mail → reach → comment
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