Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
NYPD

Brooklyn DA’s Office Reviewing Mathieu Lefevre Hit-and-Run

The office of Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes will conduct a review into the death of cyclist Mathieu Lefevre, according to the borough's top prosecutor for vehicular crimes.

Craig Esswein, chief of the vehicular crimes bureau, told Streetsblog that reviewing deadly traffic crashes is standard procedure. "Any time there's a fatality the NYPD does their investigation, and we do our own."

Lefevre's death at the hands of a hit-and-run truck driver in Williamsburg last October has made headlines, owing to revelations that NYPD withheld details of the crash from the victim's family and failed to gather evidence at the scene. Asked about NYPD's handling of the investigation, Esswein said, "We will be looking into the matter."

Though no photos of the scene have been released to the Lefevre family -- police reportedly didn't take pictures due to a broken camera -- Esswein says they do exist. He says those pictures will be examined along with video of the collision, which according to NYPD records shows that the truck driver dragged Lefevre and his bike for several yards as he made an unsignaled right-hand turn. "We're going to review it all," said Esswein.

In a statement issued this week, Mathieu's mother Erika Lefevre revealed that NYPD has charged the driver, identified by police as Leonardo Degianni, for failure to signal and failure to exercise due care. To date, no charges have been issued for the victim's death, or for leaving the scene of a fatal crash. "We urge the Kings County District Attorney's Office to carefully review this case," wrote Lefevre, "and bring appropriate charges."

Lefevre's family and friends have launched a letter-writing campaign to Hynes' office asking for a careful review of the case. More information is available here.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts