Bicyclist Killed After Swerving in Front of Livery Cab

(NEW YORK) -- A bicyclist was struck and killed by a livery cab Monday morning after the cyclist swerved into the street, The New York Post reports.

The victim, whose has not yet been identified, was heading eastbound on Eastern Parkway around 1:15 a.m.  Suddenly, in the area between Underhill and Washington Avenues, the bicyclist swerved in front of the cab, which was also heading eastbound.

The cyclist was taken to Methodist Hospital where he later died due to injuries sustained in the accident. He carried no identification on him, but police think that he was in his mid-thirties.

The cab driver remained at the scene, and no wrongdoing is suspected on his part.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Prosecutors: Man Accused of Murdering Gay Man Boastful, Laughing

(NEW YORK) -- The man accused of murdering a gay man Saturday in what police are calling an anti-gay hate crime was boasting and laughing about the murder, prosecutors say.

According to The New York Post, 33-year-old Elliot Morales, an ex-con with a length criminal record, was laughing as police arrested him for allegedly shooting Mark Carson, 32, in the head on Saturday.

“Yeah, I shot him in the head,” Morales is reported to have said while rolling on the ground laughing.

Carson, a Harlem resident, and his companion were just blocks from the infamous Stonewall Inn Saturday when Morales and two other people approached them. Morales began yelling anti-gay slurs at them.

Morales, asked the two men if they were “gay wrestlers," and later asked “do you want to die here?"
Carson and his companions kept walking to attempt to avoid a conflict, as did Morales’ friends. He then pulled out a gun and shot Carson in the face with no provocation, according to NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly.

“The victim did nothing to antagonize or instigate the shooter. It was only done because the shooter believed him to be gay,” Kelly said.

Carson died in the hospital soon afterwards.

This is the latest in a series of bias attacks on gay men in the area, and police are investigating to see if there is any connection between this incident and earlier ones.

“It's a really sad affair,” said Sean Williams, a friend of Carson. “I mean, come on. This is 2013. Who's killing people for being gay nowadays?”

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Metro-North Train Collision Results in Service Changes

(NEW YORK) -- Continuing repair work following the train derailment and collision in Bridgeport last Friday, may result in travel headaches for some Metro-North Railroad customers.

Dozens of people were injured in the derailment and collision incident, and Metro-North officials say crews are still working to repair tracks and other infrastructure that was damaged.

A list of service changes has been posted on the Metro-North website, beginning during the Monday morning rush hour period with a shuttle train operating approximately every 20 minutes between the New Haven and Bridgeport stations; and shuttle bus service operating between the Bridgeport and Stamford stations.

More information on the changes in service can be found by clicking here.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Long Island Is Fastest Growing Economy in New York State

(NEW YORK) -- Long Island has the fastest growing economies in New York State, according to new information from the State Department of Labor.

According to the Wall Street Journal, private sector jobs in Nassau and Suffolk Counties grew at a rate of 2.9 percent in April, higher than both New York City's growth rate and the state's average rate. April was also the fourth consecutive month in which Long Island grew jobs at a rate of over two percent.

However, while the overall job numbers look good -- Long Island has gained back more than the number of jobs lost during the financial crisis -- many of the jobs added in the past year are in low-wage industries, according to the Journal.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

Maine Man Arrested in Brooklyn Murder Case

(NEW YORK) -- A 20-year-old man from Maine was arrested on Thursday in connection with the death of a Brooklyn teen.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Christian Ferdinand is accused of smothering 14-year-old Shaniesha Forbes with a pillow after she told him that she was pregnant with his child and refused to have an abortion.

Forbes was found dead in Brooklyn on January 6. She was not pregnant at the time.

Ferdinand allegedly took Forbes' body to Gerritsen Beach where he burned her clothing and body, says the Journal.

Ferdinand has been charged with murder in the case after he reportedly confessed to his role in Forbes' death.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio