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

Another Brooklyn Pedestrian is Dead — And Her Killer Driver is Uncharged

File photo: Gersh Kuntzman

A woman was run down and killed by a driver on Avenue U in Sheepshead Bay on Sunday morning, cops said.

According to police, Gail Ackerman, 77, was crossing the busy commercial strip in the crosswalk from north to south at around 11:15 a.m. when the driver of a 2016 Nissan SUV slammed into her as he tried to turn left from E. 29th Street onto Avenue U.

Cops showed up and found Ackerman bloodied and with injuries to her pelvis. EMS took her to Kings County Hospital, where she died. The driver remained on the scene and was not charged, though the police report suggested that he did not yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk and, by killing her, failed to exercise due care.

Seven pedestrians and cyclists have been injured on the six blocks of Avenue U between Nostrand and Bedford avenues, a busy commercial stretch that lacks any safety upgrades.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘How Do You Do That to People?’ Crash Victims Speak Out Against Hochul’s Car Insurance Agenda

"Her supposition that, 'There’s a lot of fraud and people are faking these injuries in order to get million-dollar payouts' is preposterous," said one crash victim.

March 19, 2026

Nassau County Police Are Enforcing an E-Bike Ban That Doesn’t Actually Exist

With no clear legal rationale for the ban, Nassau County e-bike riders are left in a tough spot.

March 19, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines: Backed into a Corner Edition

Another day, another demand for auto insurance reform from Gov. Hochul. Plus other news.

EXCLUSIVE: Mamdani Halts NYPD’s Criminal Crackdown on Cyclists, Ending Harsher Treatment of Bicyclists Than Car Drivers

Cops will no longer write criminal summonses to cyclists for minor traffic offenses starting on Friday, March 27, City Hall said.

March 18, 2026

Council Leaders Push DOT In Both Directions On Streets Master Plan Goals

Transportation Chair Shaun Abreu is passionate about bus lanes and bike lanes. Finance Chair Linda Lee? Not so much.

March 18, 2026

Albany Pols Seek Transparency From Insurance Giants As Hochul Pushes Premium Cuts

Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz and state Sen. Jamaal Bailey have stepped up their oversight of — and concern about — Gov. Hochul's auto insurance scheme.

See all posts