Andy Peralta, 32, was riding his moped north on Jerome Ave. when he turned left onto W. Mosholu Parkway South and was struck by an oncoming Bx28 bus in Bedford Park at about 5:14 p.m. Wednesday, according to police.
Just four minutes before the crash, officers had attempted to stop Peralta after spotting him traveling against the flow of traffic near E. 205th St. and Jerome Ave. about a quarter mile away, according to law enforcement.
The moped rider managed to evade police by making a U-turn, cops said. An NYPD spokesman could not say if Peralta was being actively pursued when he turned into oncoming traffic and was struck by the bus.
The collision sent Peralta flying from the vehicle, and he suffered a severe head injury, police said. He was taken St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died.
Peralta began making deliveries for Uber Eats more than five years ago, after his mother helped him purchase the scooter, his cousin said.
“He really likes to ride his moped. That was his cathartic release,” said Martinez, adding that in the past five to seven years “it became a thing. … He was a pretty experienced rider.”
“He loved being able to go places,” Martinez said. “The freedom to wake up and just go.”
“Anyone who knew Andy knows that he lived life to the fullest,” reads the GoFundMe posted Thursday. “He had a passion for the open road, a laugh that could brighten any room, and a heart of gold. His loss has left a hole in our family that can never be filled.