An advisor to the former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo tragically died Sunday after a Lyft driver demanded him out of the car on an active highway.
Delaware State Police confirmed that Sidney Wolf, 43, of Clarksburg, Maryland, was identified by authorities as “the victim who died during a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on July 24, 2022, in the Dewey Beach area.”
Former Cuomo Adviser Killed After Lyft Driver Threw Him Off Delaware Highway
The department stated in a press release how the incident occurred after Wolf and five of his friends hired a Lyft driver to pick them up in Dewey Beach and take them back to a residence in Bethany Beach.
“As the group was traveling southbound on Coastal Highway all in the same vehicle, a disagreement occurred between the group and the Lyft operator,” the press release said. “The Lyft operator terminated the ride and stopped in the middle of the southbound left lane and demanded all six passengers exit the vehicle.”
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At that time, a driver traveling southbound in the left lane approaching the stopped Lyft vehicle “changed lanes to avoid striking the rear of the Lyft vehicle [and] failed to see the pedestrian who had just exited the right rear passenger seat and was standing in the roadway.”
“As a result, the left front of Corolla struck the pedestrian. After impact, the Corolla immediately pulled over on the southbound shoulder and came to a controlled stop,” the release stated.
The Lyft vehicle, meanwhile, “fled southbound on Coastal Highway immediately after the crash,” the department said.
Wolf was pronounced deceased at the scene as police shared that the other five passengers “were not injured after exiting the Lyft vehicle.”
Police stated the roadway was closed for approximately four hours while the collision was investigated and that “the operator or the Lyft vehicle has not been identified and remains under investigation.”
In a statement sent to FOX 5, a Lyft spokesperson said, “We are heartbroken by this incident. Our hearts are with the victim’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time, and we’ve reached out to the ride requester to offer our support. We are in contact with law enforcement and will assist them however we can.”
Wolf had worked as an aide to Cuomo while he was serving as governor of New York. Cuomo resigned back in August after an investigation found he had sexually harassed multiple women while serving as governor of New York.
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In a tweet, Cuomo said he was “shocked & saddened to hear this tragic news.”
“Sid was a phenomenal public servant who worked relentlessly for the betterment of all NY’ers,” Cuomo wrote. “My heart goes out to Lindsey & his two young daughters.”
Police are asking anyone who witnessed this collision to contact Master Corporal Argo by calling 302-703-3264.