Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bike/Ped

UPDATE: NYPD Arrests Driver Who Hit and Killed a Woman in the Crosswalk

The intersection where a driver struck and killed 33-year-old Ingrid Pineda-Cuellar.

Updated: Cops cuffed the driver who struck and killed a woman in a crosswalk of a Brooklyn intersection, the NYPD said on July 8.

On June 30, police offered preliminary information about the death of 33-year-old Ingrid Pineda-Cuellar, who was struck by 78-year-old Jean Victorin as she crossed Utica Avenue at 6:53 a.m. on June 27. Police said Victorin, who was driving a 2014 Toyota Sienna, struck Pineda-Cuellar as he made a left turn from Avenue L onto Utica.

Pineda-Cuellar was rushed to Kings County Hospital, where she died. The driver remained at the scene but was not immediately issued any tickets.

But more than a week later, on July 8, police arrested Victorin and charged him with failure to yield and failure to exercise due care.

The NYPD did not provide the following information:

    • Whether the driver was speeding.
    • Whether he was listening to loud music.
    • Whether he was distracted.
    • Whether he was using his phone at the time of the crash.

Such information rarely is made available, even after lengthy investigations.

In the last 12 months, there were 3,119 crashes in the 63rd Precinct, roughly nine per day, causing a total of 1,059 injuries — 131 to pedestrians and 36 cyclists. There were also five fatalities: one cyclist, one pedestrian and three motorists. There have been a total of 39 crashes, causing 22 injuries, at the intersection of Utica Avenue and Avenue L since June 2016, data shows.

Pineda-Cuellar, who is at least the 100th traffic fatality this year, according to the Department of Transportation, whose data shows that road deaths are up 15 percent this year compared to the same period last year. She is the second person killed in the 63rd Precinct this year — a driver hit and killed 29-year-old Robert Sommer as he was biking on Avenue U near E. 33rd Street on May 12.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Activists Walk the Queensboro Bridge to Demand More Space for Pedestrians, But Lane Reverts to Cars Anyway

Safety issues were supposed to be rectified by the Department of Transportation until Mayor Adams stepped in.

April 12, 2025

Brad vs. Andrew: Lander Wants Faster Buses Initiative Eliminated Under Gov. Cuomo

It's time to revive the Select Bus Service eliminated in 2018 by then-Gov. Cuomo, according to a new report from Comptroller Brad Lander.

April 11, 2025

Council To DOT: Do Better At Tracking Projects (So We Can See When You Fail)

Two bills passed by the City Council on Thursday will require the DOT be more transparent about project progress.

April 11, 2025

Friday Video: The Only Congestion Pricing Explainer You Need (Except Ours)

We've covered congestion pricing better than anyone, but we were pleased to see our Climate Town friend Rollie Williams jump on board. It's must-see TV.

April 11, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: The Times Loves Sprawl Edition

Look, we're critical of the Times, but the paper reached a new low in its call for more sprawl. Plus other news.

April 11, 2025
See all posts