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A garbage truck driver has been charged for drunk driving after hitting an Australian woman cycling in New York City as she swerved to avoid a car blocking a bike lane.
Madison Jane Lyden, 23, veered into traffic about 4:45pm on Friday (local time) when a stopped taxi suddenly pulled out in front of her, police said.
Felipe D Chairez, 44, has been charged with driving while intoxicated, driving while ability impaired and operating a commercial vehicle with an alcohol reading of 0.04 per cent – 0.06 per cent or less, the New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed.
Beer cans were found in the garbage truck and he was arrested at the scene, local media reported.
It is understood Ms Lyden was not wearing a helmet.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it was providing consular assistance to Ms Lyden’s family.
New York City transportation advocacy group Transportation Alternatives said it was “a crash waiting to happen” because “lazy and entitled drivers” were parking, dropping people off and idling in bike lanes.
Topics: disasters-and-accidents, travel-health-and-safety, road, united-states, australia
