Drummer Jerry Fuchs Dies at 338 Berry in Elevator Shaft Fall
Jerry Fuchs, the 34-year old drummer for such bands as !!!, The Juan Maclean, and Maserati, died early Sunday morning in a freak fall down an elevator shaft at 338 Berry Street (b/t S4th and S5th). The many reports out there say he and a friend tried to jump out after the freight elevator stopped b/t the 4th and 5th floors while at a party for the Uniform Project’s six month anniversary. His buddy made it. Jerry, sadly, did not. His hoodie got caught and he fell.
His friend and roommate, Alex Frankel of Holy Ghost!, writes on his band’s blog:
Last night Jerry Fuchs, our friend and our drum hero, passed away. Jerry accidentally fell from a freight elevator in Williamsburg Brooklyn and was not able to survive the intense trauma caused by the fall. Nick and I entered the building about the time the fall occurred. We found him in the elevator shaft. We held him and talked to him and went with him to Bellevue Hospital. Heartbreakingly, the doctors were unable to resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead at 3:33 am.
Gothamist reports the building has had a history of DOB violations, yet the majority have been “dismissed.” There have been 8 total complaints, 61 DOB violations, and 24 ECB violations. The most recent, V 040109E9011/296054, was filed on April 1st of this year. Violation type? E, for elevator.
Here’s a video of Jerry that’s been making the rounds this morning. RIP.
It was foretold in an episode of Law and Order: Criminal Intent!!!
fuckin coachroach neglectful landlords.
I live on the ground floor, I was told that the two men ran behind the Super of the building and “stole” the elevator that is only to be operated(because it is old and very treacherous to use as it has gates and heavy doors)by the Super. This is a prime example of why people off the street should not be operating heavy dangerous equipment that they are not authorized to use. Even without violations and all equipment in running order the elevator is dangerous. They obviously stopped the elevator in between floors and he fell through the exposed opening that had the shaft below. It’s an accident happening late at night that the victims need to take responsibility for. Lesson learned here…”don’t mess with equipment your not supposed to mess with!”
Chris (the previous poster),
I am a reporter with the Brooklyn Ink. I’d like to ask you a few more questions about the elevator and building. If you could contact me, my address is tlb2132@columbia.edu. Thanks.
I know that elevator and the only way to get access is from the Super. Who is never there on the weekends…unless you paid him. Questionable?!!!