More Clarity (and Questions) Regarding Jerry Fuchs' Death

Photo by Joshi Radin

The man who was with Jerry Fuchs during his final moments in an elevator in Williamsburg says he hasn't been able to sleep since the incident on early Sunday morning. The Daily News talked to Stephen Alessi, who was going to the same party, but didn't know Fuchs personally. He told the paper, "I tried to reach out for him. I was too far and it happened so fast, in a split second."

Alessi jumped off the unmanned freight elevator first, when it became stuck between two floors. He said it didn't seem like a big jump, but as soon as he was safely on the 5th floor and looked back, he realized how large the gap was behind him. Fuchs followed and actually landed on the floor with both feet, but his hoodie got caught on the elevator and gave him a little tug back," causing him to fall down the shaft.

A lawyer for the owner of the 338 Berry Street building said that elevator isn't normally in operation past business hours, and they are now looking in to who was manning it at that hour. Yesterday it was noted that there was an elevator operator who may have been hired by the Uniform Project (who were hosting the party Fuchs was attending) — however that wasn't made clear to guests, and when Fuchs showed up to an empty elevator he had no way of knowing to wait.

The DoB hasn't responded to our requests about the prior violations the building has received, including an elevator violation that was "dismissed" on October 30th. They did tell the News that their "investigation has shown so far that there is nothing wrong with the elevator."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in News on November 10, 2009 8:55 AM

Comments [rss]

JacqueMehoff

sounds like a nice guy hoodie or no hoodie.

it wasn't a "stunt" just a malfunctioning elevator.

nothing ironic about it.

and I'm usually on the side against hipsters.

ohgoodgolly

Seriously, people. I know the anonymity of the internet usually allows you to be complete dicks without getting punched in the face, but sometimes you just need to give it a rest. The poor guy - who by all accounts was a nice and talented person - died due to the negligence of the building owners and party planners. Drop the hipster bashing for ten minutes and be decent human beings.

gothamguy

Newsflash: sometimes accidents happen without anyone being negligent.

ohgoodgolly

I'd say holding a huge fundraiser in a broke-ass building with a terrible service elevator that breaks down is pretty negligent. Sometimes you shouldn't sacrifice for a chic location.

Spirit of 76

Unfortunately, the elevator has been inspected and there's no sign of malfunction. It appears Alessi or Fuchs just didn't know how to operate it properly. Don't jump to conclusions and point fingers.

Amanda Harletsch

gothamist or willyburgist?

marcasm

It's Jen Carlson, what do you want? You will have to read updates about this daily until something new happens in the hipster grifter saga.

gothamguy

Not to seem insensitive, but why is this getting so much coverage? The guy died in an accident. Tragic, absolutely. Newsworthy, not really.

suepart

this ain't news. who gives a fuch?

s0me_g0d

He should have called 911, but now he's dead.

Lesson learned?

Clarice City

Jesus Christ people, it's a blog not his obituary. Get a sense of humour. Everyone thinks it's so funny when a kid gets shot in the face by the cops after pulling a bb gun on them,and blaming the guy who got hit by a city bus for his own death was okay, but if it's a white hipster guy leaving a party at the crack of dawn and getting killed in a stupid stunt, that's just a godamn tragedy.

Spirit of 76

The kid who got shot in the face didn't die, and it was something he brought on himself. If you pull a gun on a cop, you don't deserve sympathy. What exactly did Jerry Fuchs do to deserve crashing to his death then being mocked? And it probably wasn't the hood that doomed him, but rather the hem on the hoodie, so your snark about the hoodie killing him is wildly inappropriate. Finally, your defense is pathetic. "Hey, other people do it," is something one should grow out of by fifth grade.

meowster

Who thinks it's funny when a kid gets shot in the face? You are a fucking idiot. And I hope you are british or canadian; we spell humor without a 'u'. Idiot.

Clarice City

By the way, your grammar is deplorable. Fragmented sentences are for idiots.

Clarice City

in response to a woman getting robbed with a taser you said the following: "Still don't get why anyone walks alone at 3am. That's just stupid."

Is there still room for enrollment in your sensitivity seminar? Or your American English class?

Clarice City

Oh and let's not forget the old man dying all alone in the Jane Hotel. Right. That was just one big snark.

TheKlaus

If you're a fan of ironic deaths, then I sincerely hope you die changing the propane tank on your trailer.

Clarice City

Fashion victim.

mick vonn

Clarice, can you understand that Jerry's family and friends are reading this thread? The insensitive and heartless comments by you and other unknowns don't mean much juxtaposed to the thousands of heartfelt sentiments all over the internet from those who loved Jerry; however, it's sad to see. Jerry was one of the best drummers around and a talented graphic designer/illustrator. Even people who have only seen him play once have been moved by this loss. You glib generalists who are tossing around the word hipster haven't a clue either. I would love to know what your aesthetic is. Jerry toured the world and played on David Letterman for christ's sake. He had more talent in his pinky than you snarky F***S. I'm sure of that, because people who work their ass off and find success in what they love are secure enough and happy enough not to troll the internet making snide, bitter and ignorant comments, mocking the death of an amazing guy like Jerry.

MT

Exactly. I'm sure the irony of being killed by a hoodie can't be lost on the hipster trash of Williamsburg.

greeen

sorry, but you are an idiot for saying such a stupid thing

It is not even remotely clever and just reveals your inner vapidity

zodak

Dollar Bill was one of the nicest and most straightforward men I have ever met, and the fact that he died so tragically young is something that still upsets me whenever I think about it.