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

Hit-and-Run Driver Kills Pedestrian in Deadly Part of Brooklyn

Rockaway Parkway is a speedway with two lanes of car traffic. Photo: Google

A luxury car driver struck and killed a pedestrian on deadly Rockaway Parkway in Brooklyn on Wednesday night — then fled the scene, cops said.

According to police, the 54-year-old pedestrian, whose name was not immediately released, was crossing Rockaway Parkway at Lenox Road at around 11 p.m. when he was struck by the driver of a white BMW heading southbound on the speedway-like roadway.

The victim suffered severe body trauma and was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he died. Meanwhile, the driver fled and has not been captured.

The investigation is ongoing.

A map of crashes in the 67th Precinct since June, 2020. Photo: Crashmapper
A map of crashes in the 67th Precinct since June, 2020. Photo: Crashmapper
A map of crashes in the 67th Precinct since June, 2020. Photo: Crashmapper

What needs no further investigation is that the very short portion of Rockaway Parkway between Kings Highway and Linden Boulevard is a deathtrap. Since June, 2020, there have been 67 reported crashes on just those four blocks, injuring two cyclists, nine pedestrians and 36 drivers, according to city data visualized by Crashmapper.

In the larger 67th Precinct, in which this fatal crash occurred, there have been 2,655 crashes over the same period — roughly seven crashes per day! — injuring 127 cyclists, 172 pedestrians and 1,042 motorists (that's almost four injuries per day!) and killing one cyclist, three pedestrians and three motorists.

Evidence suggests that the precinct does not take road safety seriously. The precinct's cops were semi-finalists in our March Parking Madness competition, which pits various precincts for how disrespectfully they treat their neighbors.

Citywide, the carnage continues to be the worst in the entire tenure of Mayor de Blasio. Between Jan. 1 and July 7, 128 people have been killed on New York City roads, according to the Department of Transportation:

Chart: DOT
Chart: DOT
Chart: DOT

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Astoria to NYPD: Stop These Excessive Police Chases

The NYPD's 114th Precinct must eliminate "unnecessary" police chases through mostly residential Astoria because they have "dramatically reduced" public safety with very little upside, a Queens community board said last week.

December 23, 2024

Monday’s Headlines: Meeting Across The River Edition

Garden State transit advocates implored New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy to do the right thing. Plus more news.

December 23, 2024

OPINION: Can Regional Governance Break New York Out of Its Constant State of Transit Emergency?

The New York region needs to fundamentally change the way it governs its transit system, our contributor writes.

December 20, 2024

Friday’s Headlines: ‘So, How Was Your Day?’ Edition

You didn't come here to find out about yesterday's crime news. Instead, here's the livable streets news!

December 20, 2024

Albany Should Use ‘Underutilized’ Transit Fund For LIRR, Metro-North Discounts: Report

An "underutilized" pot of state transportation funds could help lure more New York City residents onto the LIRR and Metro-North, according to a new report.

December 19, 2024
See all posts