Local family looks for answers in death of off-duty FDNY EMT, Xaverian alum

The family of a Bay Ridge FDNY EMT who was left to die after a being hit by an SUV on the Kosciuszko Bridge late last month is looking for answers to a question they never thought they’d have to ask.

The loved ones of Kevin Liang – a 27-year-old Xaverian graduate who was mowed down by a hit-and-run driver while riding his Ducati motorcycle just before 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 30 – have offered up a $25,000 reward for information surrounding Liang’s final moments.

“Details of what happened in Liang’s last minutes continue to be uncertain,” read a press release issued by Assemblymember William Colton, who is helping the Liang family in their search for the truth. “All that the family does know about that night is garnered from media coverage.”

According to said media coverage, Liang – who was reportedly on his way to dinner to celebrate his recent birthday – was struck by a dark SUV, possibly a Lexus, whose driver, at least one witness claims, stopped briefly on the bridge, but only to check if his car had been damaged. Reports further claim that the car was changing lanes when it struck Liang’s ride, causing him to lose control and be thrown onto the asphalt. He died shortly after at Woodhull Hospital.

According to Colton’s office, the Liang family “yearns for answers that would provide some solace,” their hope being “that the NYPD Collision Investigation Squad will prioritize this investigation and gather enough evidence to arrest the hit-and-run driver as soon as possible.

“They stress that investigations must move quickly so that trails do not grow cold,” the press release reads on. “They fear as more time passes, witnesses may forget their facts or the details may become hazy.”

According to relatives, Liang had served as an FDNY EMT dispatcher for two years and was about to enter the FDNY academy to fulfil his lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter.

Funeral services were held for the paramedic – the first active Chinese-American FDNY member to be killed – on Tuesday, October 10 at Aievoli Funeral Home in Dyker Heights, not far from where he grew up in Bay Ridge. His casket was carried by members of the FDNY.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run can reach out to the Liang family directly at pang.lee@gmail.com. Authorities also ask anyone will information to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at (800) 577-TIPS.

All calls are strictly confidential.