Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Bekim Fiseku was indicted by a grand jury on charges of murder, manslaughter, unlawful fleeing a police officer, leaving the scene of an incident and related crimes for allegedly running a solid red light at a high rate of speed and fatally striking 36-year-old Amanda Servedio in October 2024. The victim was riding her bicycle through the intersection of 34^th Avenue and 37^th Street in Astoria and had the right of way. Fiseku was allegedly fleeing from police officers after they responded to a 911 call of a burglary in progress.

DA Katz said: “The defendant allegedly led the police on a 10-minute chase through the crowded streets of Long Island City and Astoria to avoid responsibility for his actions. As alleged, the defendant was wanted in connection with an attempted burglary when he fled, ran a red light and killed a bicyclist who had the right of way. He then abandoned his damaged vehicle and fled the jurisdiction. My office never gives up on victims. Following a thorough investigation by my Vehicular Homicide Unit, along with the NYPD, we built a strong case, and the defendant is now indicted on murder and related charges.”

Fiseku, 54, of Staten Island, was arraigned today on a 12-count indictment charging him with murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, manslaughter in the second degree, assault in the second degree, unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle in the first degree, leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, attempted burglary in the third degree, failure to exercise due care, operating a vehicle at unreasonable speed, possession of burglar’s tools, criminal mischief in the fourth degree and reckless driving.

Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant remanded the defendant and ordered him to return to court July 30. If convicted of the top count, Fiseku faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

DA Katz said that, according to the charges and the indictment, on October 22, 2024, at approximately 11 p.m., NYPD officers responded to a 911 call of a burglary in progress involving a dark pickup truck. The officers observed a 2023 Dodge Ram, driven by Fiseku, pulling off the sidewalk outside of a commercial building at 38-27 Crescent Street in Long Island City.

Police attempted a car stop around the corner. Fiseku then fled at a high rate of speed, which started a police pursuit.

Approximately 10 minutes into the pursuit, Fiseku allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of 34^th Avenue and 37^th Street in Astoria and struck Amanda Servedio, who was riding her bicycle through the intersection with the right of way. Servedio was thrown from her bicycle and landed on a parked vehicle.

Police stopped to render aid to the victim and the defendant continued to flee. Servedio was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

The pickup truck drove another half a mile from the collision site before coming to a stop. Fiseku exited the vehicle and fled on foot through a series of backyards.

Police recovered a prybar, screwdriver, bolt cutters, a dead-blow hammer, gloves, a mask and two cellphones – one of which was registered to Fiseku – inside the abandoned truck, which is also registered to Fiseku.

The investigation later revealed evidence of forced entry at the burglary location in Long Island City. The defendant and a second male allegedly attempted to break into the building.

Fiseku, who has been in federal custody on a separate matter since February, was arrested by members of the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad and Force Investigations Division this morning.

The District Attorney would like to thank the FBI and US Marshals for their assistance with this investigation.

Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Selkowe, Unit Chief of the District Attorney’s Vehicular Homicide Unit and Deputy Chief of the District Attorney’s Homicide Bureau, is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Hauszpigel and Brian Cox, under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney John Kosinski, Bureau Chief, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Major Crimes Shawn Clark.