BROOKLYN, New York — A routine walk home after an overnight hospital shift ended in tragedy for a 28-year-old New York City nurse who was struck by a vehicle in a Brooklyn crosswalk and later died at the hospital where she worked.
Jiayi Zheng was walking near 55th Street and Third Avenue in Sunset Park at around 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, when she was hit by a Cadillac sedan, according to the New York Police Department.
Police said Zheng was thrown into the roadway after the collision and suffered severe trauma to her head and body. She was wearing hospital scrubs and carrying a backpack at the time, according to surveillance footage.
The driver did not remain at the scene.
Surveillance Video Shows Moment of Collision
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Zheng waiting for the traffic light before entering the crosswalk.
She began crossing the street after receiving the signal and had made it approximately halfway across when the Cadillac suddenly entered the intersection.
According to the reports, the vehicle did not appear to slow down before striking Zheng. The force of the impact threw her into the roadway, leaving her with critical injuries.
Instead of stopping to help, the driver continued through the intersection and fled south on Third Avenue, according to News12.
The crash prompted an immediate emergency response, with witnesses calling 911 after discovering Zheng seriously injured in the street.
Nurse Dies at Hospital Where She Worked
Zheng was transported to nearby NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn, where she worked as a nurse. Despite medical efforts, she was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said.
New York State Sen. Andrew Gounardes also confirmed her death on X, saying the victim had been coming home from a night shift.
The circumstances have made the tragedy particularly painful for Zheng’s colleagues. Hospital sources told that she worked in the medical-surgical unit and was known for being positive and always in a good mood.
The nurse lived less than a mile from the location of the crash and approximately a mile from the hospital where she cared for patients.
Hospital Community Mourns 28-Year-Old Nurse
NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn expressed its grief following Zheng’s death.
In a statement on Sunday, Aug. 30, hospital spokesperson James Iorio said the facility was deeply saddened by the passing of the nurse.
The hospital extended condolences to Zheng’s family, loved ones and colleagues, while emphasizing the important role nurses play in caring for patients.
The loss has been felt across the hospital community, where Zheng was known not only as a healthcare worker but also as a colleague who brought a positive attitude to her job.
Her death has now left those who worked alongside her mourning while investigators continue searching for the driver responsible.
Witnesses Describe Horrific Aftermath
Employees at a nearby business also encountered the aftermath of the crash.
A worker at Mendez Deli told the New York Daily News that customers alerted them that an accident had occurred shortly after the store opened.
The worker said a customer went outside, saw Zheng lying in the street and 911 was called. The deli employee later described the scene as extremely difficult to witness.
The account highlights how quickly the peaceful Brooklyn morning turned into an emergency, with local residents and businesses suddenly confronted with the devastating consequences of the collision.
Driver Still Has Not Been Arrested
The NYPD has identified the vehicle involved as a 2014 Cadillac sedan, but investigators had not identified the driver as of Sunday afternoon.
“There are no arrests at this time, and the investigation remains ongoing by the NYPD Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad,” police said in a statement.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision and are working to identify the person who fled.
For Zheng’s loved ones and colleagues, the search for the driver comes as they mourn a young nurse whose life was cut short while simply making her way home after caring for others through the night.
What do you think about this heartbreaking hit-and-run? Share your thoughts and condolences for Jiayi Zheng and her loved ones in the comments.