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

Man Struck in Brooklyn Was 16th Senior Killed Walking NYC Streets in 2017

Thirteenth Avenue and 83rd Street, where a driver fatally struck a 71-year-old man Wednesday. Image: Google Maps

A motorist killed a 71-year-old man walking in Dyker Heights last night, bringing to 16 the number of senior pedestrians fatally struck by drivers in 2017, according to crash data tracked by Streetsblog.

People age 65 and older make up 13 percent of NYC’s population but account for 57 percent of pedestrian fatalities this year.

NYPD told Streetsblog the victim, whose name had not been released as of this afternoon, was crossing 13th Avenue at around 7 p.m. when the driver, southbound on 13th, hit him with a Toyota minivan.

NYPD said the victim was crossing "between" 83rd and 84th streets, but photos published by the Daily News show the minivan stopped just south of the intersection of 13th and 83rd.

The victim sustained head and body trauma and was pronounced dead on arrival at Maimonides Medical Center, according to NYPD.

A photo of the minivan indicates the victim impacted the windshield, a sign of a high-speed collision.

From the News:

“Horrific, never saw so much blood in my life,” said John DiDamo, 43, who works at the My Way Car Service nearby.

"I went upstairs and heard a crash. I look out the window, I see the guy is laying down in the street," said Hallack, who lives on the same block as the crash. "I went outside, I see him on the ground. The blood is running like crazy."

The News identified the driver as 32-year-old Solomon Brach. NYPD had no information on how fast he was going or how he failed to see the victim. Thirteenth Avenue is a two-lane neighborhood street lined with residences, shops, and churches -- a street where drivers should expect people to be walking.

The News reported that Brach told witnesses, “I'm sorry, I made a mistake. This is the second time this happened to me."

In the Daily News photos, the minivan does not have a license plate on the front bumper, which New York requires, or a New York inspection sticker on the windshield. It's unknown where the vehicle is registered.

No charges were filed and the investigation is ongoing, NYPD said.

This fatal crash occurred in the 68th Precinct, where in 2016 officers issued between one and two speeding tickets a day, on average, and in the City Council district represented by Vincent Gentile.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Streetsblog Year in Review: The Biggest Sustainable Transport News of 2024

It was a busy year in the movement to end car dependency — and there's a lot more to come.

December 23, 2024

Astoria to NYPD: Stop These Excessive Police Chases

The NYPD's 114th Precinct must eliminate "unnecessary" police chases through mostly residential Astoria because they have "dramatically reduced" public safety with very little upside, a Queens community board said last week.

December 23, 2024

Monday’s Headlines: Meeting Across The River Edition

Garden State transit advocates implored New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to do the right thing. Plus more news.

December 23, 2024

OPINION: Can Regional Governance Break New York Out of Its Constant State of Transit Emergency?

The New York region needs to fundamentally change the way it governs its transit system, our contributor writes.

December 20, 2024

Friday’s Headlines: ‘So, How Was Your Day?’ Edition

You didn't come here to find out about yesterday's crime news. Instead, here's the livable streets news!

December 20, 2024
See all posts