Harlem Man, Passenger Killed In Crash Near 125th Street

HARLEM, NY — A Harlem man was killed along with a passenger when he crashed his car on the Harlem River Drive near 125th Street on Saturday, police said.

It happened just after midnight on the southbound side of the Harlem River Drive, near the 125th Street exit. Michael Hamilton, 37, was driving a Honda sedan when he lost control and hit the center barrier, police said.

Officers found Hamilton inside the car, along with his passenger, 47-year-old Norman Batiz of the Bronx. Both men were rushed to Harlem Hospital, where they were pronounced dead — despite efforts by witnesses to rescue them from the scene of the crash, NBC4 reported.

Hamilton lived on Fifth Avenue near West 139th Street, police said.

"He was a hard working young man," Hamilton's devastated aunt told the Daily News.

The crash remains under investigation.