Upper East Side Pedestrian Was Killed In May Crash, Police Say

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Police on Friday identified the Upper East Side pedestrian who was fatally struck by a pickup truck driver in May, naming him as a 66-year-old man who lived just a few blocks away.

William Maeder, 66, died one day after the May 3 crash at the corner of East 77th Street and First Avenue, police said this week.

Police had not previously disclosed that Maeder had died, saying only that he was in critical condition. Authorities did not say why it took two months to identify him as the victim.

Maeder was crossing East 77th Street around 6 p.m. that day when a 34-year-old man driving a 2007 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck turned right from First Avenue, striking Maeder in the intersection, police said.

Maeder lived on East 72nd Street near First Avenue, according to authorities.

The driver stayed at the scene and no arrests have been made, though an investigation is ongoing, police said Friday.

The car that appeared to be involved in the crash has been cited 14 times for speeding in school zones, according to Upper East Site's review of the speed camera violations associated with its license plate.

In Maeder's online obituary, friends and neighbors remembered him as "a great person with a big warm heart."

One friend who said she had lived next door to Maeder on East 77th Street wrote that they "shared our love of Cher, frequenting parties and discos."

"Will shared my love for music and dancing. He was a fabulous Salsa dancer and had the best Music Playlist," the friend wrote. "He had a passion for food- but really loved a good burger and a Brew."