The 27-year-old pedestrian killed by a wrong-way driver in Greenwich Village earlier this week has been identified as Valerie Schoeck, a Massachusetts native who had been living in the West Village and was preparing for her wedding next summer.
Valerie Schoeck Accident
Schoeck, originally from Cambridge, Massachusetts, was crossing Morton Street at Seventh Avenue South shortly after 8:30 a.m. when a black van traveling the wrong way struck her, according to police and law enforcement sources.Emergency responders rushed her to Bellevue Hospital, but despite lifesaving efforts, she was pronounced dead.
A woman named Carol, who identified herself as the aunt of Schoeck’s fiancé, said Valerie had been excitedly planning her wedding for the summer of 2025. Her fiancé, Ross Barlow, declined to comment when approached at the couple’s apartment on Friday afternoon.
Driver Was Traveling the Wrong Way
Authorities say the 61-year-old man behind the wheel was operating a 2020 GMC Savana van with New Jersey plates. He had been traveling westbound on Morton Street, which is designated eastbound-only.
The driver remained at the scene, police said. As of Friday, no charges had been filed and the investigation remains ongoing.
Funeral Service and Tribute Fund
A funeral service for Valerie Schoeck will be held on November 20, 2025.
In honor of Schoeck’s life, her family has invited donations to Our House, a nonprofit organization providing grief support services, education, and resources to individuals and families coping with loss.
The cause is deeply meaningful to the Schoeck family. Valerie’s father, Michael C. Schoeck, died in December 2004 after battling leukemia—an early loss that shaped Valerie’s understanding of grief and compassion. Her family said they know firsthand how the death of a loved one “reshapes life and touches every part of one’s world.”
Contributions made in Valerie’s honor will help support others navigating the pain of bereavement. No specific fundraising goal has been set; all donations, her family emphasized, are “meaningful and appreciated.”
Community Mourns Promising Young Woman
Friends, neighbors, and loved ones are remembering Schoeck as a warm, thoughtful woman whose future was full of joy and plans—plans now tragically cut short.
The investigation into the crash continues. Authorities have not released further details regarding possible charges.
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