E-bike rider killed by drunk driver during deadly driving weekend in Brooklyn

June 10, 2019 Noah Goldberg

Two cyclists riding e-bikes have been killed so far this year. Eagle file photo

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A man riding an e-bike in Canarsie was struck and killed by a speeding drunk driver Sunday night, police announced Monday morning, capping off a particularly deadly weekend for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists in Brooklyn.

Mohammed Abdullah was riding his e-bike on Avenue D near East 105th Street when Treasure Liggins — drunk and speeding in her Infiniti G35 with her 4-year-old son in the backseat — lost control of her car, veered left and slammed into Abdullah, according to police.

Liggins then rode up onto the curb and into a building, where her car came to a stop. Abdullah was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he died.

Abdullah was the 11th bike rider killed thus far in 2019, according to statistics compiled by Transportation Alternatives. Nine of the 11 riders were killed in Brooklyn. Nine of the 11 were riding standard pedal-powered bicycles, and two were riding e-bikes.

In 2018, 10 cyclists were killed in the span of the whole year, according to Vision Zero statistics. Vision Zero statistics do not include e-bike riders.

Liggins and her son were taken to Kings County Hospital where they were treated for injuries and released. Police arrested her hours later and charged her with manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, driving while intoxicated and other crimes for the crash.

“This crash should serve as a reminder that people who ride e-bikes are still made of flesh and bone and are just as vulnerable to the dangers of reckless driving as people who ride regular pedal-powered bicycles,” said Joseph Cutrufo, a spokesperson for Transportation Alternatives.

Three other people were also killed in Brooklyn car crashes this weekend.

Early Saturday morning in Marine Park, two men were speeding in a Nissan Altima when they sideswiped another car, went through a red light and smashed into a traffic light pole. Their car burst into flames and both men died. Police have not released their names.

On Sunday afternoon, a man named Faquan Li was struck and killed in Bath Beach — just steps from his home — while he was crossing the street. Police could not confirm if Li was crossing with or against the light. The driver, Kamil Aldawaliby, was arrested for aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle.