East Harlem, NY (December 23, 2025) – A 75-year-old woman, Li Liang, was tragically killed Tuesday morning in East Harlem when a chain-reaction crash involving a private garbage truck caused a heavy sidewalk scaffold to collapse on top of her. The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on East 101st Street near First Avenue.
According to the NYPD and surveillance footage, a garbage truck operated by Classic Recycling was traveling west on East 101st Street when it struck a parked, unoccupied Kia Forte. The force of the impact propelled the Kia onto the sidewalk and directly into the structural supports of the scaffolding at 345 East 101st Street. Ms. Liang, who neighbors described as a devoted member of the community known for using a walker and watering neighborhood plants every morning, was standing beneath the structure when it gave way. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the truck and a passenger were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries and have since been released. Classic Recycling, a New Jersey-based company, stated that they are cooperating with authorities as they gather information regarding the cause of the crash.
Liability and Wrongful Death in New York Commercial Vehicle and Scaffolding Accidents
The fatal collapse in East Harlem involves a complex intersection of commercial vehicle liability and premises safety laws. In New York, when a commercial vehicle like a garbage truck causes a chain-reaction accident, the trucking company can be held vicariously liable for the actions of its driver. Investigators will be looking closely at whether the driver was distracted, fatigued, or traveling at an unsafe speed for the narrow residential street. Furthermore, New York’s “Serious Injury” threshold is automatically met in cases of wrongful death, allowing the estate of Li Liang to pursue a claim for non-economic damages, including the loss of companionship and the conscious pain and suffering she may have endured.
How Can We Help
At Stanley Law, we help victims of vehicle accidents work through the difficulties of insurance matters and personal injury lawsuits. If you are a family member of Li Liang or were impacted by this East Harlem tragedy, our New York pedestrian accident lawyer is ready to conduct a thorough investigation into both the trucking company and the scaffolding installation. We handle the legal complexities to ensure that negligent parties are held fully accountable for your loss. Call us at 888-997-3889 for a free consultation today and let us fight for your rights.
