Tragedy Strikes as NYC Man with Extensive Criminal History Faces New Charges in Motorcyclist Death

In a heart-wrenching incident that has devastated a family and raised serious questions about criminal justice in New York City, 31-year-old Timothy Bohler faces charges for allegedly fatally striking a cancer survivor with his motorcycle in the Bronx. According to police reports, Bohler allegedly collided with 52-year-old Lelawattie Narine around 8:30 p.m. on March 22, 2024, while she was standing on a street corner. Following the collision, witnesses reported that Bohler abandoned his Jiajue motorcycle and fled the scene on foot, leaving the severely injured woman without assistance. Narine, who had just completed chemotherapy for breast cancer and had recently received the joyful news that she was cancer-free, suffered a severe head injury and was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries two weeks later, turning what should have been a celebration of her victory over cancer into an unimaginable loss for her family.

“I’m really happy they got him,” expressed Darshan Narine, the victim’s son, when speaking to The New York Post about Bohler’s arrest. The pain in his voice was palpable as he continued, “He just left my mom. It wasn’t right. He could’ve just called 911. He could have tried to help her. He just ran.” The poignancy of this case is amplified by learning that Narine had been following her doctors’ advice to exercise daily as part of her post-cancer recovery. “Her doctors told her to exercise as much as possible,” Darshan explained. “They told her going for walks would be the best. So she used to try to do a mile a day.” This simple act of self-care, meant to strengthen her body after battling cancer, instead led to her tragic encounter with Bohler, who now faces charges including leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, failure to exercise due care, aggravated unlicensed operation, and operating an unregistered vehicle.

What makes this case particularly alarming is Bohler’s extensive criminal history, with the NYPD confirming to Fox News Digital that he has amassed 20 prior arrests. Bohler was reportedly already incarcerated on Rikers Island when authorities charged him in connection with Narine’s death. His criminal record includes a particularly disturbing incident from January 2024, when he allegedly attacked a man walking his dog in broad daylight. According to reports, Bohler approached 34-year-old Rakeem Tayquon Young, who was walking his dog Chanel, and threatened to kill the animal with a machete. When Young raised his hand protectively, Bohler allegedly sliced off four fingers from Young’s left hand. “I’m running down the street and missing the fingers,” Young recounted to the Daily News, describing the horrifying aftermath. “When he first initially swung the [machete] I did look and see that my fingers was gone. After that I could not look no more.” Although doctors performed a 13-hour surgery to reattach three of Young’s fingers, the physical and psychological trauma remains profound.

The pattern of violence in Bohler’s history extends even further. In 2016, he allegedly assaulted deli workers in the Bronx after being denied a six-pack of beer on credit. In October 2024, he was arrested on charges including rape, assault, unlawful surveillance, and weapons possession. Even while incarcerated at Rikers Island, Bohler’s alleged criminal behavior continued, with reports claiming he stole pepper spray from a female corrections officer and used it against her in February. Each incident paints the picture of an individual with a persistent pattern of increasingly violent behavior who repeatedly encountered the criminal justice system yet remained able to victimize others. This troubling pattern has left many, including the families of his alleged victims, questioning the effectiveness of the system designed to protect public safety and rehabilitate offenders.

The impact of these crimes extends far beyond the immediate victims. For Narine’s family, the loss is immeasurable – a mother who fought and survived cancer only to be killed in such a senseless manner. For Young, who reportedly lost his city job due to his injuries, the attack resulted not only in physical disfigurement but also in economic hardship and psychological trauma. “I just hope they keep him this time because they’re letting them out over and over. I pray this time it sticks. Someone died,” said Kimtreese Young, Rakeem’s mother, expressing a sentiment shared by many who feel the criminal justice system has failed to adequately address repeat offenders. “Maybe this gives my son strength to go get some help. When he couldn’t work for the city anymore, he just gave up. It was like a domino effect.” Her words highlight how violent crimes create ripple effects of trauma and hardship that extend far beyond the initial incident.

As Bohler faces these new charges related to Narine’s death, having pleaded not guilty, the case stands as a stark reminder of the complex challenges facing urban criminal justice systems. For the families affected, justice feels both urgently necessary and frustratingly elusive. Darshan Narine must now navigate life without his mother, whose triumph over cancer offered only a brief moment of joy before tragedy struck. Young continues to deal with the physical and economic consequences of his attack. Meanwhile, communities struggle with the knowledge that individuals with extensive histories of violent behavior continue to pose threats to public safety. As this case proceeds through the legal system, it raises profound questions about how society can better balance rehabilitation with public protection, and how to ensure that those who repeatedly demonstrate violent tendencies receive appropriate intervention before more lives are irreparably damaged or lost.