NYC Cyclist Deaths: Rider Killed In Brooklyn After Sedan Runs Red Light, Slams Into SUV
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Another cyclist has been killed in New York City, the 19th so far this year.
Witnesses said the man riding the-now mangled bicycle had no time to react when two vehicles collided at the intersection of Coney Island Avenue and Avenue L in Midwood, Brooklyn, on Sunday afternoon.
MORE: Another Bicyclist Killed: 18th To Die This Year After Being Struck, Killed By Truck In Brooklyn
One woman told CBS2's Hazel Sanchez she saw the crash from her apartment window.
"I couldn't believe it. It was just terrible. I thought everybody got killed," the woman said.
The incident happened just before 12:30 p.m. Surveillance video from a nearby bakery shows a grey car traveling southbound on Coney Island Avenue, running through a red light at the intersection of Avenue L. The car then crashes into a blue SUV that had the right of way, sending it spinning onto the sidewalk, not before hitting 52-year-old Jose Alzorriz, who had just pulled up to the corner.
"He didn't stand a chance. It was so fast," witness Simon Gifter said.
Gifter said he was walking to his car when he heard the collision. He said people immediately ran to help.
"There were a lot of good Samaritans pulling the car off. They were trying to move it a little bit so they could get that cyclist out from underneath," Gifter said. "They were also rescuing the driver, the driver of the blue minivan. It took a while to get him out. He looked very hurt."
Police said Alzorriz suffered head trauma and was rushed to a nearby hospital, but couldn't be saved. The 39-year-old driver of the SUV and another 52-year-old man were hospitalized but are expected to be fine.
Park Slope neighbors said Alzorriz was an avid cyclist. They were stunned to hear he was killed doing what he loved.
"I've heard a lot about the different cycling accidents this year. I'm a bike rider and I'm almost never riding on the streets here in New York. It's just not worth the risk. So it's shocking to hear that. It's hard to process," friend Alex Kaplan said.
The 18-year-old driver of the grey car was taken into custody, but no charges were immediately filed, police said.
The damage left behind left locals convinced the teenager was speeding. When asked if people drive really fast on Coney Island Avenue, a woman named "Rosa," told Sanchez, "Yeah, they do. They do."
"This is crazy. This is what? The 19th cyclist to die for absolutely no reason. How many people gotta die until the city goes after speeders?" Gifter added.
Police said they are still investigating and are reviewing dash cam videos.
