Last night, a car driven by New York City FC striker Jovan Mijatović reportedly hit a pedestrian in central Belgrade. According to Serbian publication Blic, the pedestrian was rushed to the hospital where she remains in critical condition.
Blic also reports that Mijatović remained at the scene, where he cooperated with authorities. The 19-year-old was administered a breathalyzer test, "which showed that Mijatović had not consumed alcohol."
Further, Blic reports that the pedestrian and her companion "ran into the street outside the pedestrian crossing," and it is unclear if they had been drinking. The accident took place at 8:10 pm local time on Friday, January 3.
The events were later re-reported by Nogomania.
Mijatović joined New York City at the start of the 2024 season for a reported $8.6 fee. The former Red Star Belgrade player scored one goal in 15 appearances in all competitions last year, with his lone goal coming in a 4-2 loss to FC Cincinnati in a Leagues Cup group stage match. The highly-regarded prospect failed to score in any Major League Soccer games, or in the two starts he made for NYCFC II in the US Open Cup. Mijatović played just three minutes across four games in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Mijatović is back in his native Serbia while NYCFC are on break. New York City's preseason will begin soon, and the club will participate in the Coahcahella Invitational, and play four friendlies in an exhibition tournament that runs fro February 1 to 15.
It remains to be scene if Mijatović will be required to remain in Serbia while the incident is under investigation.
