daveb writes in the Daily Heights Forums: “Does anyone know anything about the accident today (Sun. 26th) on Vanderbilt and Prospect? Looked like someone on a bike got hit. Saw a lot of blood on the ground and what looked like more than one person being taken away by ambulance. It didn’t look good.”
Follow-up from anonymous Guest: “I saw the accident (heard it and then looked). It looked like a young woman was hit by a car on a bicycle. It did not not look good for her. There were also a few people in the car that hit her, it was a hard impact, so I would not be surprised if the driver or other passengers were injured/shook up.”
“Say a prayer for the woman who was hit. I could not bear to stay and watch….it shook me up too much.”
UPDATE! Looks like the prayers worked. We just got an anonymous tip that the biker passed through a local ER today and is doing fine.
Links:
Accident on Vanderbilt [Daily Heights forums]
Elizabeth Padilla Killed by Ice Cream Truck on 5th Near Flatbush [Daily Heights]
god, this is getting depressing. and scary!
the city needs to do something. now.
I’m so relieved to hear she’s OK!
yeah i saw it. talked to the cop as the car (with shattered windshield) was towed… heard that the driver is being charged with three charges of vehicular assault, as the cyclist was riding legally, and in the right of way. the car took a left turn from prospect onto vanderbilt and hit hte cyclist who was travelling towards GAP, right in front of the met food.
i took a ton of photos. i have em at home though. will post tomorrow.
What is this vehicular assault of which you speak? As I have mentioned here before, I saw my boyfriend get mown down on his bike right in front of me at Underhill and Washington by a car that didn’t stop or look both ways at a stop sign, and I never heard word one about vehicular assault. On the contrary, the police ripped my boyfriend a new one about not having changed the address on his driver’s licence while he was literally strapped to a board in the emergency room.
I’m still mad.
Open letter, sent to Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James that Sunday :
Dear Councilwoman James:
I am writing to you after having witnessed the second death of someone on my street by speeding traffic within the past two years. The last time, a speeding car driven from Eastern Parkway shortly after midnight lost control, pinning a young man to a wall in front of my building. The poor man had his lungs crushed and likely did not make it, although police would not release any further information. Shortly thereafter I contacted councilperson Yassky’s office (it was the first number I could find), which said that they could get the traffic light timing changed to slow the speeders down. I can tell you it hasn’t worked.
Today, a car with New Jersey plates going toward Grand Army Plaza struck a cyclist, who smashed into the car’s windshield, flew into the air, and hit the ground with her head bleeding. She stopped shaking within 30 seconds. It was the worst thing I’ve ever seen. Other residents who have been here longer than me (3 years) tell me that speeders have killed more pedestrians in the past as well.
These deaths are preventable.
Speed bumps on Vanderbilt Ave. would slow traffic down. Changing the timing of the lights and/or enforcing speed limits are helpful measures, but they don’t prevent impaired or reckless motorists from speeding. I am writing to you with hope that you can get speed bumps in place.
With highest regard and hopes,
James
(Full name, Address, Phone Number)
Response from Councilwoman James
I received the following reply to my e-mail within five hours, on a Sunday. Letitia James rules.
Dear Mr. Xxxxxxx:
I am not sure whether DOT would be supportive of speedbumps on a major thorough fare. However, I believe that “neckdowns” would be appropriate. We installed them on Lafayette Avenue in Clinton Hill and they had a calming effect on traffic. I will write DOT and forward you a copy.
thank you.
Letitia James
¶ 5:12 PM
Sunday, June 26, 2005