Driver Who Killed Cyclist Jake McDonaugh Pleads Not Guilty to Homicide
Michael Oxley, the driver who killed 18-year-old cyclist Jake McDonaugh on Flatbush Avenue in April, pled not guilty to five charges -- including criminally negligent homicide -- at his arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court yesterday. He is currently out on bail, which the judge set at $75,000. The next court date is set for July 15.
By
Noah Kazis
4:02 PM EDT on May 14, 2010
Image: NY1Michael Oxley, the driver who killed 18-year-old cyclist Jake McDonaugh on Flatbush Avenue in April, pled not guilty to five charges — including criminally negligent homicide — at his arraignment in Brooklyn Criminal Court yesterday. He is currently out on bail, which the judge set at $75,000. The next court date is set for July 15.
The decision by the office of Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes to bring such a serious charge against Oxley is rare. New York prosecutors seldom bring criminally negligent homicide charges in traffic fatality cases unless the motorist was driving drunk or left the scene. Witnesses state that Oxley was speeding and running a red light when he hit McDonaugh. Oxley was also driving with a suspended license.
Noah joined Streetsblog as a New York City reporter at the start of 2010. When he was a kid, he collected subway paraphernalia in a Vignelli-map shoebox.
Before coming to Streetsblog, he blogged at TheCityFix DC and worked as a field organizer for the Obama campaign in Toledo, Ohio. Noah graduated from Yale University, where he wrote his senior thesis on the class politics of transportation reform in New York City. He lives in Morningside Heights.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog New York City
Mamdani Will Upgrade Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan-Side Entrance By June
DOT will begin start construction in April of the Adams-era proposal to give cyclists and pedestrians their own entrances to the bridge.
March 27, 2026
Cycle of Rage: One Driver’s Convenience, One Woman’s Death
How can we rein in drivers when the whole system is set up for them?
March 27, 2026
Friday Video: Buenos Aires Will Challenge Everything You Think You Know About Buses
The Paris of South America has an amazing bus system — but it doesn't run like North American ones at all.
March 27, 2026
New York City Cannot Repeat Boston’s Big Dig Mistake
The city must learn from its neighbor to the north.
March 27, 2026
Friday’s Headlines: Mayor on a Citi Bike Edition
People and mayors who get around on foot, on bikes or on transit have a greater appreciation for our city. Plus other news.
March 27, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.