Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Pedestrian safety

Unlicensed Driver Charged in Hit-and-Run Killing of Brooklyn Pedestrian

A suspect was arrested and charged in the September hit-and-run death of a pedestrian in Sheepshead Bay.

Francis Perez (pictured) had just bought snacks for his son when he was allegedly struck by Brian Young and left to die in the street.
Francis Perez (pictured) had just bought snacks for his son when he was allegedly struck by Brian Young and left to die in the street.
Francis Perez (pictured) had just bought snacks for his son when he was allegedly struck by Brian Young and left to die in the street.

Francis Perez, 28, was crossing Avenue V between Ford and Coyle streets at around 8 p.m. on September 23 when a motorist struck him and fled, according to the Daily News.

“The guy flew in the air, and then the [driver]… stopped at that corner and just drove off,” said a witness.

Perez, who lived and worked near the crash scene, bought snacks for his 8-year-old son just before he was struck.

"He just went to the store to buy some sodas and Snickers," Perez’s girlfriend Sandra Mcillwain told the News. "Something fell from his hand and he went to pick it up and he went flying."

"He had the biggest heart,” Mcillwain said. “Ask anyone around here.”

Police identified a suspect, 47-year-old Brian Young, shortly after the crash. Young was arrested on September 27, according to court records. He was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and third degree aggravated unlicensed operation.

Leaving the scene of a deadly crash, the top charge against Young, is a class D felony with penalties ranging from probation to seven years in prison. Young was not charged for the act of killing Perez.

Young was arraigned last week. He pled not guilty and was held on $200,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for December.

This fatal crash occurred in the 61st Precinct, and in the City Council district represented by Alan Maisel.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

NYPD Finds Mysterious Corpse in Car With Illegal Tints Parked at a Hydrant Near Stationhouse

The discovery is a gruesome demonstration of the NYPD's systemic failure to enforce parking rules around its own station houses.

December 8, 2025

Who Rides on the Sidewalk? To NYPD, Just Blacks and Hispanics

The NYPD has ramped up its enforcement against cyclists for squeezing pedestrians, but in a very suspect manner.

December 8, 2025

‘No Better Place’: Mamdani Must Pedestrianize Financial District

Residents of Lower Manhattan have been demanding pedestrianized streets for decades, but the city and Big Business keep thwarting them. Sounds like a job for Mayor Mamdani.

December 8, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Congestion Pricing Edition

The New York Post has laid the bait for Gov. Hochul on congestion pricing, but will she take it? Plus more news.

December 8, 2025

Queens Judge Orders City to Rip Up Half-Installed Astoria Bike Lane

The unprecedented ruling flies in the face of reams of data demonstrating the safety benefits of protected bike lanes.

December 5, 2025

Unions and Environmental Groups Push Council To Pass Delivery Protection Act

Intro 1396 would force Amazon and other delivery companies that use last-mile warehouses to ditch the sub-contracting model and directly hire their workers.

December 5, 2025
See all posts