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

Not So Fast! We Rode NYC Ferry with Would-Be Council Speaker Amanda Farías

Council Member Julie Menin claims she has the votes to be the next Speaker, but Bronx Council Member Amanda Farías has shown a lot more interest in livable streets issues.

November 28, 2025

Book Excerpt Special: Jonathan Lethem’s ‘Program’s Progress’

Class struggle. Infirm secondary superheroes. Suicidal sheep. It’s all in Jonathan Lethem's new collection of short stories, "A Different Kind of Tension." Here's one — featuring class struggle with cars!

November 28, 2025

Special Post-Thanksgiving Friday Video: The Positive Economics of Bike Lanes

Some yahoo in Montreal said that whatever bike lanes cost, they're too expensive! Well, no they're not.

November 28, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Curbside Slide Edition

Good-bye, streeteries, we hardly knew ye. Plus other news.

November 28, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Giving Thanks(ish) Edition

Yes, let's give thanks. But let us also not forget why we're so lucky. Plus other news for your holiday day off.

November 27, 2025

‘Gold Standard’ Open Street Has Two Paths Forward To Become True ‘Paseo Park’

The DOT is contemplating two options for the 1.3 mile-long linear park in Jackson Heights. Which would you choose?

November 26, 2025
See all posts