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

UPDATE: Drunk, Unlicensed Driver Killed Pedestrian in Downtown Brooklyn: Cops

File photo: Dave Colon

An unlicensed and drunk driver ran down and killed a woman steps from her home on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn on Sunday night, cops said.

According to police, Jasen Nhambiu, 49, was drunk when he drove his Hyundai Sonata westbound on Atlantic at around 7:45 p.m. then slammed into Alina Morales, 62, between Third Avenue and Nevins Street. Nhambiu remained on the scene while Morales was taken to Brooklyn Hospital Center in nearby Fort Greene, where she died.

Cops later charged the driver with four serious crimes: driving while intoxicated, refusal to take a breath test, driving without a license, aggravated unlicensed operator (an additional charge because of the alcohol). It is very rare for cops to charge drivers who remain on the scene unless they have committed a second crime, beyond the crash, such as drinking or driving with a suspended license. Indeed, before the charges against Nhambiu had been announced, the only detail police initially released was that Morales had been crossing the wide, dangerous, four-lane speedway "mid-block."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Drivers Run Red Light, But Cops Ticket Cyclists at Dangerous Delancey Intersection

Drivers are zooming onto and off the Williamsburg Bridge in Lower Manhattan by running red lights. But cops are targeting cyclists instead.

November 11, 2025

Two More Staffers Join the Growing Streetsblog Newsroom!

Meet Austin C. Jefferson and J.K. Trotter! And read about our big plans for local news.

November 11, 2025

How Cheap Technology Could Fix New York’s E-Bike Enforcement Mess

Internet-connected technology could eliminate commercial e-bike crashes and battery fires.

November 11, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Dean Joins the Team

Mayor-elect Mamdani made his first two hires as the Daily News attacked his free buses platform. Plus more news.

November 11, 2025

The False ‘Trolley Problem’ At the Heart of the Autonomous Vehicle Debate

Waymo said it has a "plan" for when one of the company's cars kills someone. But we should be planning for a world when no car kills anyone — autonomous or not.

November 11, 2025

Bad Data Alert: Council Tears Apart DOT Daylighting Study

The internal review, obtained by Streetsblog, dismantles DOT's fear-mongering.

November 10, 2025
See all posts