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

Pedestrian Killed by Dump Truck Driver As De Blasio’s Commitment to Vision Zero is Questioned

File photo: Gersh Kuntzman

Another pedestrian has been run down and killed, this time by the driver of a dump truck in Coney Island.

Police said that the driver of a Francis Construction company truck hit a 58-year-old man who was in the crosswalk of Mermaid Avenue and West 21st Street on Saturday morning at around 10 a.m. The dump truck had been heading southbound on the side street, police said.

There were no arrests, cops said. The victim's identity was not released pending family notification. Francis Construction could not be reached on the weekend, as no one answered its phone.

The death shows anew that the "zero" part of Mayor de Blasio's Vision Zero continues to recede like Gatsby's orgiastic future. Indeed, 2019 is turning out to be an exceptionally bloody year, with 67 people dying on New York City roads this year through May 5, according to police statistics.

The NYPD says that figure represents a 20-percent spike in road deaths. Injuries to people who get around on bikes are up 5 percent, as well. Injuries to pedestrians are down by the same amount.

De Blasio is under fire from activists for his waning commitment to his signature initiative.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Safe Streets, Workers Rights, Crash Victims Targeted By Big Tech In Super Bowl Ads

Some Super Bowl commercials are ads. And some are warning shots.

February 10, 2026

Opinion: The City, Not Just Lyft, Deserves Blame for Citi Bike’s Winter Mess

The Mamdani administration should fine Lyft for falling short of its contractual obligations — and reward it for meeting or surpassing them.

February 10, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines: A Gateway to Nothing Edition

The Gateway Tunnel project remains stalled to allow President Trump to appeal. Plus other news from a busy day.

February 10, 2026

Queens Pol Trolls Her Own Constituents From Her Ticket-Covered Lincoln As They March For Car-Free Parks

Queens Council Member Joann Ariola mocked her own constituents in an "adolescent" and "antagonistic" move just because some people want a car-free park.

February 9, 2026

Snow Problem: Can New York City Handle Big Winter Storms Anymore?

There are eight million people in the big city. And 32 million opinions on the Mamdani administration's response to its first snow crisis.

February 9, 2026

Video: Another Way The Snow Reveals Our Misallocation of Public Space

New Yorkers barely use their cars and, instead, use them to seize public space.

February 9, 2026
See all posts