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

‘Preventable’: Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Two on Third. Ave Corridor Eric Adams Refuses to Make Safer

A motorist struck and killed two men on a strip where Mayor Adams recently shelved a safety redesign amid a backlash from local business interests.

July 11, 2025

Why No BRT For NYC? Two New Reports Tackle Why Your Bus Service Sucks

Years of bus priority projects barely made a dent in speeds because Big Apple leaders won't install real bus rapid transit, two recent reports argue.

July 11, 2025

Citi Bike Riders Are Pissed About Eric Adams’s 15 MPH Speed Limit

Citi Bike's new 15 mph max speed limit is a bad deal for riders and a potential threat to safety, riders said.

July 11, 2025

Friday Video: Cyclists, Check Out Your Next City

Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson visited London earlier this summer to check in on the Big Smoke's cycling revolution.

July 11, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Just the News Edition

We've got one more workday before we can hit the beach. Plus the news.

July 11, 2025

Council To Close Instacart Loophole, Pass Delivery Industry Regulation Bills

The City Council will vote on Monday to close the "Instacart loophole" and force all app companies to pay workers a minimum wage.

July 10, 2025
See all posts