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

Thursday’s Headlines: Set Our Calendar Edition

The next four weeks are setting up to be the World Cup tournament of the livable streets movement. Plus other news.

February 19, 2026

Cycle Club Sues City, Calling Central Park Bike Speed Limit A ‘Real Threat’ To Active Transportation

The New York Cycle Club filed a lawsuit against the city alleging it overstepped with 15 mile per hour speed limit in Central Park.

February 18, 2026

Mamdani Budget Adds Staff, Cash For More Bus And Bike Projects

The mayor wants to fill a budget gap identified by fiscal watchdogs as a key roadblock to making buses faster and cycling safer.

February 18, 2026

Advocates to MTA: More Fare Caps Will Be Fairer For All

The MTA has not introduced daily or monthly OMNY fare caps, even as it phased out daily and monthly MetroCards.

February 18, 2026

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda: Lessons for the Future of Congestion Pricing

This is how New York can take full advantage of congestion pricing.

February 18, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines: What’s In the Couch Cushions Edition

All eyes were on Mayor Zohran Mamdani's first budget, but we were looking for the spare change for DOT. Plus other news.

February 18, 2026
See all posts