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

Help Cops Find Bensonhurst Killer Driver

Cops are looking for the driver of this black sedan, who killed Jose Contlas on Sunday. Photo: NYPD

Police are hunting for the driver of a black sedan that ran over and killed a pedestrian in Bensonhurst on Sunday — and then kept driving.

According to the NYPD, Jose Contla, 26, was walking alongside his vehicle on 19th Avenue near 86th Street at around 7:25 a.m. on Sunday when the driver of a black sedan, traveling south on 19th Avenue, hit him. EMTs found Contla unconscious in the roadway, his killer long gone. Contla died later at Maimonides Medical Center.

Later, cops released two short videos of the driver they are seeking:

Anyone with information is asked to call the Crimestoppers hotline at 800-577-8477 (TIPS), logging onto the Crimestoppers website, on tagging @NYPDTips on Twitter.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

The City Is Doing to Prospect Park What It Needs to Do to All Parks

A long-awaited bike lane in Brooklyn will create almost full protected cycling coverage around Prospect Park — setting a new standard for the rest of the city.

March 23, 2026

NYC Pols To DOT: We Want More — And Better — Summer Streets!

A group of 29 current and former elected officials asked DOT to expand the car-free streets program so that it's not just a few random Saturdays along unconnected stretches.

March 23, 2026

Why Some Members of Congress Want to Go Big on Greenways

A new bill would multiply federal funding for walking and biking paths — even as some powerful congresspeople threaten to take away what we've already got.

March 23, 2026

Monday’s Headlines: We Fixed Congress Edition

DOT installed "don't walk" signs next to pedestrians ramps in Brooklyn, then removed them after Streetsblog started asking questions. Plus more news.

March 23, 2026

VIDEO: Reckless Driver Kills Cyclist, Injures Four Others in Harlem Crash That Shows Need For Speed Caps

The 8 p.m. crash comes just a few days after Mayor Mamdani was criticized by the pro-car right for announcing that speed-limit reductions in school zones would be in effect all day, not just during school hours.

March 20, 2026
See all posts