Daria Serkov’s family has spoken out for the first time since the 15-year-old was killed on a Citi Bike last week.
The grieving relatives, who say they have been bombarded with calls from journalists “at all hours of the day and night,” posted a statement on gofundme.com pleading for privacy as they mourn the bubbly twin. They revealed the attention has been so relentless that they were forced to hire security to protect their family.
“Our family is living through an unimaginable loss,” the statement said. “We ask for privacy and space to grieve together, to honor Dasha’s life, and to begin processing a sorrow that words cannot express.”
The family also expressed frustration that Daria’s name was made public before they were ready, adding to the strain of an already devastating situation. They acknowledged the outpouring of support that has accompanied the unwanted attention, noting that genuine kindness has helped sustain them.
“We are sincerely grateful to everyone who has reached out with genuine care and compassion, to all who attended the vigil [Saturday] night, and those who continue to keep Dasha in our hearts,” they wrote. “Your kindness has brought comfort during the most painful time of our lives.”
Daria, known as Dasha to loved ones, was riding with a 13-year-old friend around 9 a.m. Friday on 14th Street on the Lower East Side when the pair were struck by an excavation truck. The massive vehicle pinned Daria beneath its wheels, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. The younger girl survived but was hospitalized.
Witnesses described a scene of anguish in the aftermath. The truck driver, who remained at the location, was visibly shattered by what had occurred.
“I saw the truck driver come out, and he was crying uncontrollably,” neighborhood restaurant owner Bdin Puangsawaski said. “A lot of blood was coming out.”
The Serkov family’s statement painted a portrait of a teenager defined by warmth and generosity. “Our beloved Daria, our Dasha, was full of love, joy, and energy,” they shared. “She cared deeply for others and brought warmth to the lives of those around her. Her generous spirit and loving heart made her deeply cherished. We will carry her light, her compassion, and the love she gave us in our hearts always.”
Daria’s love of cycling ended in tragedy on a Manhattan street where she had been riding alongside her younger companion. The friend survived the collision that took the 15-year-old’s life, leaving a family now struggling to shield itself from public intrusion while processing an unthinkable absence.
The gofundme campaign established for the family had raised more than $111,000 as of Monday afternoon.