Nurse practitioner dies after being struck in Harlem chase on August 3

On August 3, a tragic incident occurred in Harlem when 72-year-old nurse practitioner Martha Rodriguez was struck by a man involved in a foot chase. The chase began after a fight between two men, one of whom pursued the other with a sharp object. During the pursuit, Rodriguez was knocked over near West 134th Street and Lenox Avenue, causing her to fall and hit her head. She was rushed to Harlem Hospital but succumbed to her injuries three days later, leading to her death being ruled a homicide. Rodriguez was a dedicated healthcare professional who worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for over 28 years, specializing in breast cancer treatment for the last 15 years. Her colleagues and friends described her as compassionate and dedicated, with a passion for the arts and a commitment to her patients. Following her death, her friends initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and establish a scholarship in her honor, reflecting her desire to support future generations. In a remarkable act of generosity, Rodriguez donated her kidney and liver after her passing, saving the lives of three men in their 60s and 70s. This selfless decision highlighted her lifelong commitment to helping others, even in death. The non-profit organization LiveOnNY expressed gratitude for her contributions to the community and emphasized the impact of her legacy. The NYPD is actively searching for the suspect who instigated the chase, releasing images to the public. The community mourns the loss of a beloved figure, and her friends and colleagues continue to honor her memory through their efforts to support causes she cared about.