Police say that a visibly intoxicated homeless man pushed a straphanger onto the subway tracks early this morning. The 62-year-old Manhattan resident was waiting for a Brooklyn-bound 3 train at Times Square just before 5 a.m. when 29-year-old homeless man Andrew Lessey allegedly struck him, sending him tumbling into the train tracks. He was able to avoid touching the third rail, and was able to climb out of the tracks before the next train came.
Lessey had reportedly gotten into an argument with another man just prior to stumbling into the victim—witnesses said that someone screamed, “Get away from me" just before Lessey pushed the victim. The Manhattan man, whose name hasn't been released, was taken to Bellevue Hospital where he was treated for cuts to his face, upper left arm, and right knee. Cops arrested Lessey, who underwent a psychiatric evaluation at Bellevue, which he passed—he subsequently was charged with reckless endangerment and assault.
An hour after that incident, a man was struck and killed by a downtown 6 train near Spring Street. No criminality was suspected, but his name is being withheld so family can be notified.
