Driver Charged in Washington Bridge Work-Zone Death
A city crash record says a 41-year-old pedestrian was killed at 10:22 p.m. on the Washington Bridge, and police later charged driver Jesus Juarez in the death of repair worker Herb Henry Alesna.
What We Know
Herb Henry Alesna, 41, was killed on Aug. 2, 2024, at Washington Bridge and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. The city crash record lists him as a pedestrian and records two SUVs and a parked flatbed truck at the scene. Police later said Jesus Juarez, driving a Dodge Durango, changed lanes on the bridge, came into contact with a Toyota Highlander, then returned toward the right lane where Alesna was standing beside a construction truck. More than 16 months later, police charged Juarez with reckless driving, failing to yield to a pedestrian and failing to exercise due care.
Police said a lane change preceded the fatal work-zone crash
The city crash record places the crash at 10:22 p.m. on Aug. 2, 2024, at Washington Bridge and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan, with one pedestrian killed and no other injuries recorded.
Police later said Jesus Juarez was driving a Dodge Durango when he changed lanes, came into contact with a Toyota Highlander, and then moved back toward the right lane, where Alesna was standing beside a construction truck. Press accounts citing police describe the time as around 10:20 p.m.; Gothamist reported around 10:30 p.m.
The bridge links Washington Heights and the Bronx
The crash location is listed at Washington Bridge and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan. The bridge carries traffic between Washington Heights and the Bronx.
Along Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan, CrashCountNYC counted 2,226 crashes, 1,161 injuries, 86 serious injuries and 7 deaths from Jan. 1, 2022, through June 1, 2026.
A repair worker was killed while working on the bridge
Herb Henry Alesna, 41, lived in Maspeth, Queens, and was repairing the Washington Bridge when he was killed. The Daily News reported he left behind a wife and infant child.
Alesna’s widow, Eva Gyerko, told the Daily News, "He was my person. He was my soulmate."
Charges followed a yearlong investigation
Police charged Juarez in December 2025 with reckless driving, failing to yield to a pedestrian and failing to exercise due care. The Daily News reported the charges came after an investigation by NYPD Collision Investigation Squad detectives.
The New York Post reported Juarez turned himself in, pleaded not guilty and was released on supervision, with his next court date set for Jan. 23, 2026. His attorney told Gothamist, "It was a tragic accident, and he remained at the scene."