USPS Driver Arrested After Fatal Hit-and-Run Kills 66-Year-Old New York Music Icon

A 61‑year‑old USPS truck driver was taken into custody Saturday after he struck and killed 66‑year‑old Chester Mazur, a stalwart of New York’s underground music scene, near Ninth Avenue and West 55th Street in Hell’s Kitchen. Police said the collision occurred early Saturday morning; the victim was crossing mid‑block when the driver, a USPS employee, continued on and fled the scene.

For more than four decades, Mazur was a fixture in the city’s underground clubs, known for his passionate, raw performances that resonated across boroughs. According to friend Michael Jung, Mazur “was everywhere and knew everything and everybody.” Jung recalled watching Mazur’s final show at Otto’s Shrunken Head in the East Village on Friday, describing the performance as “very, very expressive” and noting that Mazur “just, like, rolled on the floor and started doing bicycle wheels with his feet.”

Police reports place the incident at about 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, just steps from Mazur’s West 55th Street apartment. The victim was struck while crossing mid‑block; the USPS truck, driven by James Simmons, 61, continued on and vanished from the scene. Simmons is now facing charges related to the hit‑and‑run, including reckless driving and failure to provide assistance.

The U.S. Postal Service released a statement saying it is “cooperating fully with the investigation.” The police department confirmed that Simmons was arrested and is being processed for the alleged offenses. No additional injuries were reported, and the incident is classified as a fatal hit‑and‑run.

Mazur’s death has shocked the local music community. Jung said, “It’s just completely unbelievable. That shouldn’t have happened.” He added that Mazur was “the best – honest and smart, knowledgeable, fun, everything about him.” Community members and fellow musicians have expressed grief and disbelief, noting that Mazur’s presence had been a constant in the city’s music scene.

The incident highlights the risks that pedestrians face in busy Manhattan neighborhoods and raises questions about driver accountability. The USPS’s cooperation and the driver’s arrest are the current known developments; no further information about potential additional charges or civil claims has been released.

The case remains under investigation, with authorities continuing to gather evidence and witness statements. The music community is mourning the loss of a respected performer and friend, while the legal process moves forward to address the hit‑and‑run.