GREENWICH VILLAGE, NY — The pedestrian who was fatally struck by a wrong-way driver in Greenwich Village earlier this week has been identified as 27-year-old Valerie Schoeck, a Massachusetts native living in Manhattan’s West Village and planning her wedding for summer 2025.
Schoeck, originally from Cambridge, Massachusetts, was crossing Morton Street at Seventh Avenue South shortly after 8:30 a.m. when she was hit by a black GMC Savana van traveling the wrong way, according to New York Police Department sources. Emergency responders rushed her to Bellevue Hospital, but despite lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced dead.
Family and friends describe Schoeck as a warm, thoughtful young woman whose life was full of promise. Her fiancé, Ross Barlow, and loved ones had been looking forward to their wedding next summer. Carol, who identified herself as Barlow’s aunt, shared that Schoeck had been excitedly making preparations for the upcoming celebration.
Wrong-Way Driver at Scene
Authorities report that the driver, a 61-year-old man from New Jersey, had been traveling westbound on Morton Street, which is an eastbound-only street. The driver remained at the scene following the collision. As of Friday, police have not filed any charges, and the investigation is ongoing.
Funeral Service and Memorial Fund
A funeral service for Schoeck is scheduled for November 20, 2025. Her family has asked that donations be made in her memory to Our House, a nonprofit that provides grief support, education, and resources to individuals and families coping with loss.
Schoeck’s father, Michael C. Schoeck, passed away in 2004 after battling leukemia, and her family said Valerie understood firsthand how the death of a loved one can “reshape life and touch every part of one’s world.” Contributions in her honor are intended to help others navigating the pain of bereavement.
Community in Mourning
Friends, neighbors, and the wider Greenwich Village community are mourning the loss of a promising young woman whose future was tragically cut short. Authorities continue to investigate the crash, and no further details regarding possible charges have been released.