Ambulance driver arrested months after fatal hit-and-run of woman in Manhattan

An ambulance driver involved in a fatal accident in Manhattan last year has been apprehended by law enforcement, facing charges related to the incident that took the life of a pedestrian. The driver, identified as Juan Santana, 28, has been charged with failure to yield to a pedestrian and failure to exercise due care. The incident occurred on November 12, 2023, when Santana was reportedly making a turn while driving a 2014 Ford ambulance.

According to the New York City Police Department’s Highway District’s Collision Investigation Squad, the ambulance was traveling northbound on Amsterdam Avenue when it made a left turn onto West 96th Street. At the time, 69-year-old Miriam Reinharth was crossing the street. Despite remaining at the scene and even transporting Reinharth to Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital following the accident, she succumbed to her injuries later that day. Medical reports indicated that she sustained severe injuries including a broken left leg and pelvic fractures, which led to significant blood loss.

Reinharth, a longstanding member of the community, lived on West 93rd Street, just two blocks from where she was struck. Between 2007 and 2012, she served as an organizer of community forums and literary events for the New York Jewish Week, a publication that highlights Jewish culture and community issues. Beyond her work in journalism, Reinharth was actively involved as a staff member and volunteer at the Community Service Society of New York, dedicating her efforts to assist individuals in navigating challenges such as insurance and medical debt.

In a Facebook post following the accident, Reinharth’s husband, Steven Greenhouse, expressed his devastation at the sudden loss. He noted that the responding police officer had indicated that Reinharth was not at fault for the incident. Greenhouse described how, after initially believing his wife would recover from her injuries, her condition rapidly deteriorated despite receiving multiple blood transfusions.

On the eve of the tragic event, Reinharth had spent a joyful day with her grandson at Prospect Park Zoo and was excitedly planning a future vacation to San Miguel de Allende, as well as a trip to France, where her mother was born. She was remembered for her vibrant spirit and her enthusiasm for life, which made her untimely death all the more poignant to her family and community.

The case continues to unfold as authorities focus on pedestrian safety, especially in busy urban environments where similar incidents have occurred. As investigations proceed, community members are urged to remain vigilant while traversing the streets and to advocate for improved pedestrian safety measures.