Edison Golf Instructor Killed in SUV-Pedestrian Collision
The New Year began with a tragedy for a young man who was killed when he was struck by an SUV while crossing the street in New York’s Upper East Side. Wesley Mensing, 27, of Scotch Plains, New Jersey, was crossing Lexington Avenue at East 62nd Street when he was struck by a Mercedes SUV. Mensing suffered severe head injuries and died from his injuries at the hospital.
Erin Sauchelli, 30, was walking with Mensing at the time and was also hit. She was taken to the hospital with head and leg injuries, but is reported to be in stable condition.
Mensing was a golf instructor at Plainfield Country Club in Edison, where he was director of instruction. He is described by his employer as skilled and compassionate and by all accounts is someone who will be greatly missed by friends, family, clients and co-workers.
The driver of the SUV was issued a summons for driving without a license. Other traffic citations or criminal charges may be forthcoming, and the driver may face civil liability as well.
By law, cars must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, who have the right of way when crossing with the light or when traffic signs so indicate. Nevertheless, most pedestrian accidents and fatalities occur in crosswalks, in part because most pedestrians use the crosswalks to cross the street but also because of a number of other factors, including drivers who fail to yield, slow or stop for pedestrians or check for pedestrians in the crosswalk before making a left or right-hand turn.
