Unmarked NYPD car strikes cyclist after running red light in Brooklyn

An unmarked NYPD vehicle ran a red light and struck a cyclist in Brooklyn, an incident captured on video. The collision occurred around 5 p.m. on Monday at the intersection of Hoyt Street and Atlantic Avenue in Boerum Hill.

The cyclist, who was in the crosswalk on an electric Citi Bike, was hit by a white sedan. The impact knocked her off her bike and into the roadway. Following the collision, the unmarked car continued down Atlantic Avenue before eventually stopping. Three NYPD officers, identified as being from Brownsville’s 73rd Precinct, emerged from the vehicle and returned to the scene.

Witnesses reported that pedestrians and other bystanders immediately rushed to the aid of the injured cyclist. One witness described the scene, stating, “I was sitting at the Hoyt Street Garden reading a book, and I turned around, and I heard skidding, and I just saw this woman flying off of her bike.” The witness added that the officers attempted to separate the victim from the gathered crowd.

The injured cyclist, who chose to remain unidentified, was transported to a hospital and is recovering from what she described as “multiple bruises.” She reported not hearing any sirens or seeing flashing lights from the unmarked car prior to the collision and stated that she attempted to stop her bike upon seeing the vehicle run the red light. She also claimed the officers encouraged her not to call 911 and to avoid speaking with witnesses, but she proceeded to call 911 for an ambulance.

The NYPD has stated that the incident is currently “under review.”

Kelly Carroll, Executive Director of the Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District, commented on the recurring issue of traffic accidents along Atlantic Avenue, calling it a “layer cake of failure.” Carroll noted that despite Atlantic Avenue being designated a “Vision Zero” corridor under a previous administration, aiming to reduce traffic fatalities, it remains a dangerous street where drivers frequently disregard traffic laws. She advocated for increased enforcement and the implementation of more traffic safety mechanisms, such as speed and red-light cameras, to improve safety on the corridor.