A man who used to work for ex-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was killed on July 24 after he and five friends were allegedly told to exit a Lyft car in the middle of the highway, according to Delaware state police.
Sidney Wolf, 43, was traveling with five others from Dewey Beach to Bethany Beach at around 1:30 a.m. During the ride, the passengers and the Lyft driver had a ‘disagreement,’ and the Lyft driver stopped the car ‘in the middle of the southbound left lane’ on the Coastal Highway and demanded that the riders exit the car.
Upon leaving the car, Mr. Wolf was immediately hit by a 2016 Toyota Corolla going southbound.
The driver of the Corolla tried to change lanes to avoid the stopped Lyft vehicle, but he did not see Wolf, who “had just exited the right rear passenger seat and was standing in the roadway,” police said.
The driver of the Corolla pulled over, but the Lyft driver fled after the crash, according to the police press release.
The Lyft driver has been located and is cooperating. “No charges have been filed at this time, and we do not release the names of those involved unless they have been charged,” said Sr. Cpl. Leonard DeMalto of the Delaware State Police. “Whether or not charges will be filed will be determined as the investigation unfolds. This may take several months as the case continues to be investigated.”
Sidney Wolf leaves behind a wife and two children. He worked from 2019 to 2021 as associate director of federal affairs for Cuomo, and was working as a consultant in Maryland.
Former Governor Cuomo expressed his condolences on Twitter. “Shocked & saddened to hear this tragic news,” Cuomo said. “Sid was a phenomenal public servant who worked relentlessly for the betterment of all NY’ers My heart goes out to Lindsey & his two young daughters.”
A Lyft statement said. “We have permanently removed the driver from the Lyft community and are in contact with law enforcement to assist with their investigation.”