Eric Zaman, 33, was killed in a motorcycle crash, police reported.
UPDATE: Police are refuting reported witness claims that the death of Eric Zaman, 33, was a result of a police car hitting the motorcycle he was riding.
The New York Post reported witnesses on the scene said Zaman skidded and crashed into a parked car after the back of his bike was “clipped” by a cop car pursuing Zaman and other motorcycle riders.
Cops said they have surveillance video footage that shows these reports are inaccurate: according to police reports, the video shows that Zaman was not being pursued, and shows that he struck a parked, unoccupied car, and was pulled away from his overturned vehicle by three pedestrians.
Those three pedestrians reportedly later claimed they were injured in the car crash and were taken to area hospitals, though police said the video disproves those claims as well.
Police reports indicate that Zaman appeared to be speeding behind two other motorcycles westbound on Jamaica Avenue near Barbey Street on a Yamaha motorcycle.
A marked police car without flashing lights or sirens was following “from a distance,” cops said. The car was passing Zaman when he crashed into the parked car, and it continued on following the other two motorcycles.
The NYPD car “immediately” turned around and returned to the scene of the motorcycle crash to help Zaman, cops said. The witnesses who claimed injury had reportedly already dragged Zaman away from his overturned motorcycle at that time.
Police also said the cop car is “in immaculate condition,” without scrapes or scuffs, and that Zaman’s motorcycle also bears no marks on the back wheel that would suggest a “clip” from behind.
Metro’s original story is below.
A 33-year-old man died late on Wednesday night after crashing into the back of a parked car.
Queens resident Eric Zaman was driving westbound on Jamaica Avenue when he struck a parked 2008 Honda Accord, police said.
Cops reported that Zaman was lying on the roadway when they arrived. He was removed and taken to Brookdale Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
The vehicle was unoccupied at the time of the incident. The investigation is ongoing.
