Tragic Death of Samuel Williams: A Family’s Grief and a City’s Response
The Unmarked Police Car and the Fatal Collision
In the months since Samuel Williams died after his motorbike collided with an unmarked NYPD car that swerved in front of him during a police pursuit, his family has received only one communication from the city: a bill for $3,429.23. The bill arrived 60 days after Williams was tossed from his motorbike on the University Heights Bridge that connects Manhattan to The Bronx. The 36-year-old dad of a 6-year-old daughter died the day after the collision.
A Family’s Grief and a City’s Response
Williams was an avid street biker who doted on his daughter with weekly shopping trips and visits to the nail salon, according to his mom and sister. His sister, Sha-Sha Prince, said getting the bill from the city so soon after his death was "horrible." "You kill someone in May, and two months later you send a bill for damages you caused?" Prince, 48, told THE CITY. "It felt like getting punched in the stomach not once but twice."
The Police Pursuit and the Fatal Collision
The NYPD has refused to say what prompted the pursuit of Williams or provide even basic information about the incident despite a dozen requests from THE CITY emailed over the past year, eight of which were also addressed to Mayor Eric Adams. The incident is under investigation by the office of State Attorney General Letitia James, which on Thursday released two short clips from police body-worn cameras following a request for the footage by THE CITY.
The Video Footage
The footage shows that two police officers who were driving unmarked vehicles in the opposite direction as Williams both turned their vehicles into his oncoming path. Williams can be seen riding his motorbike past the first vehicle but seemingly colliding into the second vehicle — which had just veered sharply into his path — and flying into the air. The video confirms testimony from a witness who claimed the unmarked NYPD car veered across two double lines before striking Williams head-on.
The Family’s Reaction and the Attorney’s Statement
An attorney for Williams, whose family is suing the NYPD in state court over Williams’ death, said the video confirms the family’s version of events. "You see the officer take his car, cut Samuel off, causing a collision. Samuel goes — he’s ejected from the bike — and you literally see him like a Superman scene fly right over the hood of the car, having no way to brace himself for an impact," said the attorney, Jaime Santana. "There’s no question that officer’s actions, they were the proximate cause of Samuel’s death. Unequivocally."
Conclusion
The fatal encounter is one of at least a dozen people who were killed following police vehicle pursuits in the past two years, which have also injured hundreds. The NYPD’s aggressive pursuit policy, which has been criticized for putting innocent lives at risk, has led to widespread criticism and calls for reform.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened to Samuel Williams?
A: Samuel Williams died after his motorbike collided with an unmarked NYPD car that swerved in front of him during a police pursuit.
Q: What is the NYPD’s policy on police vehicle pursuits?
A: The NYPD’s aggressive pursuit policy has been criticized for putting innocent lives at risk. The policy has led to a surge in crashes and injuries.
Q: Is the incident under investigation?
A: Yes, the incident is under investigation by the office of State Attorney General Letitia James and the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
Q: What is the police department’s response to the incident?
A: The NYPD has refused to comment on the incident, citing an ongoing investigation. The department has also refused to provide basic information about the incident despite multiple requests.
