A 41-year-old man commuting through Central Park was fatally injured last week after being struck by a cyclist, according to his family and police. Richie O’Brien, a steamfitter and father of two from Long Island, was walking north on the park’s East Drive near East 84th Street around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday when the collision occurred, the New York Police Department reported.

The impact caused O’Brien to fall and sustain severe head trauma. Emergency responders transported him to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he remained unconscious until his death early Sunday. His wife, Ronni, was reportedly by his side. O’Brien’s family described him as a dedicated worker who provided for his wife and their daughters, Kylie, 12, and Mia, 8. His brother-in-law, Jason Bullara, said O’Brien donated three of his organs after his passing.

Witnesses at the scene described a chaotic aftermath. Laura Sackler, who was finishing her morning run nearby, recalled hearing the collision and seeing both O’Brien and the cyclist on the ground. While O’Brien was unconscious and bleeding, the 32-year-old cyclist remained awake but appeared shocked and confused. Bystanders, including a doctor, came to assist until emergency personnel arrived. The cyclist was treated at the scene and declined hospital transport. Authorities did not release his identity or comment on potential charges.

The incident has reignited calls for improved safety measures in Central Park’s frequently congested pathways. The Central Park Conservancy urged city officials to enhance enforcement of park traffic regulations and advocated for a 15 mph speed limit on the park drives. However, pedestrian safety advocates have criticized a recent redesign of the park’s bike and walking lanes, blaming it for increased accidents.

Janet Schroeder, director of the New York City Electric Vehicle Safety Alliance, called the redesign “dangerous,” arguing it has transformed the park drives into thoroughfares heavily used by delivery riders, bike-share users, and electric scooters. According to Schroeder, the modifications, which consolidated lanes and created separate fast and slow bike lanes alongside a single pedestrian lane, have contributed to a nearly 9% rise in crashes since the changes were implemented in December 2025.

The city’s Department of Transportation is reviewing the fatal collision but has not detailed any potential actions forthcoming. The debate over how to balance safety and access in Central Park continues as the city grapples with preserving the park’s character while accommodating a wide range of users.