Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
New York Post
Police searching for goon who sparked NYC foot chase that ended in death of beloved nurse practitioner
By Zoe Hussain, David Propper,
1 days ago
Authorities are on the hunt for a goon who set off a foot chase that led to the death of an innocent bystander when she was knocked over during the violent pursuit on a Harlem sidewalk last month.
Beloved nurse practitioner Martha Rodriguez, 72, of the Upper East Side, was crashed into by one of the men involved in the chase near West 134th Street and Lenox Avenue on August 3, cops and sources said.
She fell to the ground, struck her head and was rushed to Harlem Hospital in critical condition. She was pronounced dead three days later, police said.
Martha Rodriguez died three days after she was run into during a chase between two men. GoFundMe
The suspect sought by police started chasing after the other man with a sharp object after the two got into a fight. The man being chased bowled over Rodriguez, knocking her to the ground, sources said.
Rodriguez’s death was later ruled a homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, police said.
The NYPD on Tuesday blasted out images of the suspect that allegedly started the deadly chase, sources said.
Rodriguez worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for more than 28 years and served the last 15 years in the breast cancer treatment part of the hospital, an MSK rep told The Post.
“Martha had a zest for life. She loved the arts, always finding time to go to a theater production or a museum. Over the years, Martha’s dedication, compassion and expertise touched the lives of countless patients and caregivers,” her friends wrote in a GoFundMe post.
“Her patients adored her, and she was a beacon of hope and kindness to everyone she encountered. She was also a highly valued colleague who will be dearly missed.”
Police are looking for a suspect who was armed with a sharp object and started the chase, sources said.
Her friends also noted she donated both of her kidneys and liver to patients in need following her death, which was confirmed by LiveOnNY.
The non-profit said Rodriguez’s donations saved the lives of three men, in their 60s and 70s.
“Our hearts remain with Martha’s family, friends, loved ones, and her colleagues throughout the healthcare community during this difficult time,” LiveOnNY CEO and President Leonard Achan said in a statement to The Post.
“We are grateful for her lifelong service and her legacy, which will continue to inspire and save lives.”
The nurse practitioner’s friends started the GoFundMe to pay for funeral costs and to jumpstart a scholarship in her honor because she “was truly passionate about supporting future generations.”
“Martha had touched the lives of so many. She was warm, caring, and inviting — a friend easy to talk to,” they said. “She will be deeply missed and cherished.”
Additional reporting by Dorian Geiger
For the latest metro stories, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/metro/
Looks young.. These kids and young adults these days have lost their damn minds! Their answer to everything that makes them mad is violence with no care at all about hurting or killing others! Parents need to do better!! May this poor woman RIP
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Local News
