Investigation underway after NYPD patrol car runs over pedestrian in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

The state Attorney General's office and NYPD highway detectives are investigating the death of a pedestrian who was run over by an NYPD car at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, police said.

The man was lying face up in the road at 14 United Nations Ave. S., near the New York Pavilion, south of the Unisphere, when an NYPD officer driving a marked 2015 Ford Taurus drove over him shortly after 4:30 p.m. Saturday, police said.

The officer remained at the scene and the man was taken by ambulance to New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he died from his injuries, NYPD officials said.

The incident is being investigated by the NYPD Highway Collision Squad.

The identities of the man killed and the officer involved were not available late Tuesday.

The office of Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday it also has opened an investigation into the incident, which is required by state law when an officer is involved in the death of a civilian.

Police have not said why the man was lying in the road or if police were following protocol driving in the park before the incident.

Flushing Meadows is hosting the U.S. Open Tennis Championship this week nearby at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.