Charges have been filed against a resident of Staten Island following a deadly incident in which a pedestrian was struck. The unsettling event unfolded on Mason Avenue’s 200 block, located near Staten Island University Hospital, on Wednesday morning, December 11, 2024.
The individual accused of the tragic crash is a man from Staten Island who was subsequently placed under arrest. The incident that resulted in the arrest happened at Staten Island University Hospital, positioned in Ocean Breeze, back in December. In the unfortunate event, Kathleen Murphy, a 64-year-old resident of Westerleigh, tragically lost her life.
Working as an environmental service worker for the hospital, Murphy was known to many in the hospital community. The details provided by law enforcement shed light on the incident. The man facing the charges, Surija Bajro, 67, lived in Rosebank, on the 400 block of Clifton Avenue.
According to an official statement by Deputy Commissioner of Public Information of the NYPD, Bajro faces charges for not yielding and for not exercising due care. These charges stemmed from an elaborate investigation by the NYPD’s Highway District Collision Investigation Squad.
The investigation disclosed that Bajro was behind the wheel of a Volkswagen SUV. On that fateful morning, he was navigating through the access road of the parking lot in a southwest direction. At the same time, Murphy had embarked northbound on foot towards 242 Mason St., starting from the hospital’s car park.
This unfortunate encounter occurred at approximately 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Heartbreakingly, Murphy was close to retirement from her long-standing job of 25 years and was just shy of celebrating her 65th birthday.
A representative for Staten Island University Hospital conveyed their deep grief over the devastating event. An official statement revealed ‘Our emotions are heavy with sorrow over the incident that took place at Staten Island University Hospital today. Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences go out to the family and all our staff during this challenging time.’
The hospital maintained their dedication to assist everyone involved in this sorrowful time, promising to navigate them through the tragedy. Furthermore, they affirmed complete cooperation with authorities in their ongoing investigation into the incident.
Kathleen Murphy was recognized by her colleagues and patients for her abundant kindness and compassion. A tribute on the hospital campus contained a hand-written letter which highlighted her impact: ‘While many of us may not have known your name, we recognized your face and familiar kindness, and how you would greet everyone with a ‘hello’ and truly care about their feelings.’
Murphy’s impact on people’s lives reached far beyond the hospital’s walls. Many individuals resorted to social media to share personal anecdotes of how Murphy’s kindness had touched their lives or the lives of their loved ones during their hospitalization.
One particular memory was shared by a Facebook user. According to the post, ‘During my husband’s hospitalization, I was fortunate to meet her. On her workdays, she made it a point to visit him. Conversations with her were comforting. She would inquire if we required anything and I was always touched by her kindness and sincerity.’
An obituary for Murphy posted on the Dignity Memorial site provides insight into her personal life. According to the posted information, Kathleen Murphy is survived by her wife and numerous siblings.
As of last report, there was no immediate information on legal representation for Bajro. This devastating incident is a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life, eliciting grief, condolences, and certainly, a resounding desire for justice.