Jerome Blocker Obituary, Death – Authorities have identified the victim of a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred in Rochester last week. The Rochester Police Department confirmed that 62-year-old Jerome Blocker, a local resident, was the bicyclist who lost his life in the tragic incident.
The crash took place on Friday night around 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of Norton Street and North Street. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported Blocker to a nearby hospital for treatment. Despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
Following an investigation, police identified the driver responsible for the hit-and-run as Bruce Bugbee, a 51-year-old man from East Rochester. Authorities allege that Bugbee was driving a pickup truck when he struck Blocker and fled the scene without stopping to provide aid or report the crash.
New York State Police later located and arrested Bugbee, charging him with multiple offenses related to the deadly incident. He faces felony charges, including second-degree vehicular manslaughter, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, and aggravated driving while intoxicated under Leandra’s Law. Additionally, he was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.
Leandra’s Law, enacted in New York, imposes severe penalties on individuals caught driving under the influence, especially when minors are present in the vehicle. While authorities have not disclosed whether any children were involved in this particular case, the charge suggests that Bugbee’s blood alcohol content was significantly above the legal limit at the time of the crash.
Bugbee was arraigned in Rochester City Court on Monday morning, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is currently being held at Monroe County Jail with bail set at $30,000 in cash or bond.
The case remains under investigation as officials work to gather additional evidence and witness statements. Bugbee is scheduled to return to court on Thursday afternoon for a preliminary hearing, where prosecutors will present further details about the case.
The tragic death of Jerome Blocker has sparked concerns about road safety, particularly for bicyclists and pedestrians. Advocacy groups often emphasize the dangers posed by impaired and reckless drivers, calling for stricter enforcement of traffic laws to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Community members have expressed grief over the loss of Blocker, remembering him as a valued member of Rochester. As legal proceedings continue, his loved ones are left mourning a life lost too soon due to an avoidable tragedy.