An NYPD cop on his way to work died after a BMW racing another car in Queens clipped the back of his motorcycle, causing him to crash, sources said Sunday.
Richard Holt, the founder and president of a local LE motorcycle club, was riding his Harley-Davidson on the Cross Island Parkway when a 2014 BMW struck the rear end of his bike near 17th Ave. in Bayside around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, officials said.
The car’s driver was drag racing another BMW when he struck Holt’s bike, sources said. The hardworking cop usually served on an NYPD homeless outreach team but had recently been moved to a coronavirus response unit, sources said.
Holt, 34, was thrown from his bike. EMTs rushed him to New York-Presbyterian Queens, but he couldn’t be saved.
The driver of the BMW who clipped Holt remained on scene while the other driver fled, according to sources. He was questioned by police, but it was unclear Sunday whether he would face charges.
Holt left a career with NASA to join the NYPD, according to friends.
“Rick left his career in public safety at NASA. when his father had requested him to return home,” friend PJ Marcel posted online. “Rick relocated from Florida to pursue a career with the NYPD to be closer to home where he was needed. His family said that was his calling, to be one of New York’s Finest.”
Holt founded the Unwanted LEMC motorcycle club, made up mostly of law enforcement members, and had recently been chosen to represent the group as route chief in this year’s 9/11 Memorial Parade.
“He loved being a cop,” said friend Al Castro, 58, a retired NYPD officer. “He was well respected. He loved helping people, that’s the way he was.”
Castro met Holt at a jiujitsu class at Gracie Barra Long Island in New Hyde Park.
“He’s been training for about three years. A lot of times, he would ride his motorcycle to the school,” Castro said. “He was very well liked by the students and professors. He’s the type of guy that would help you in any way he can. He was very involved in the motorcycle community doing toy runs for kids or breast cancer motorcycle runs to help get the word out. He’s going to be missed by all of us.”
Make sure you have subscribed to our Facebook page to stay tuned!
Source: NY Daily News