Sunset Park man killed by hit-and-run driver in Bensonhurst
Police cordon off the area following the fatal hit-and-run. Photo: Mark Mellone/Brooklyn Eagle
A 26-year-old man was struck and killed in Bensonhurst in a hit-and-run Sunday morning.
According to authorities, on Feb. 23 at around 7:25 a.m., Sunset Park resident Jose Contla was crossing 19th Avenue and 86th Street on foot when a driver in a black sedan fatally struck him.
The driver didn’t stop after hitting Contla and continued southbound on 19th Avenue, police said.
When officers arrived, they saw Contla lying on the sidewalk with severe trauma to his body. EMS workers rushed him to Maimonides Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
“Since sharing the news of my own family friend who was the victim of a hit-and-run in Brighton Beach a few weeks ago, there have been dozens of other fatalities across NYC especially here in Southern Brooklyn,” said State Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus. “I am angry that pedestrians continue to lose their lives due to the reckless driving of others. Enough is enough. I will be supporting any new measures to impose stricter penalties for drivers who leave the scene of an accident.”
“Just heartbreaking,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “Another family torn apart by traffic violence. This driver needs to be found and brought to justice.”
Police released a video of a black VW Passat fleeing the scene and are urging anyone with information about the hit-and-run to come forward.
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This happens a lot in this neighborhood. I am glad to see new coverage. I was hit and almost died on 86th street and Bay Parkway 4 years ago. No one even looked at the cameras. No one even cared. It was a hit and run and I almost lost my life. I haven’t talked to a cop to this day. I tried calling the cops no one cared. My lawyer didn’t care. Everything was sketchy. It was also a black car. Curious.
Sorry I am still stuck on this. I feel so bad for this man and his loved ones. This article was quite triggering. More needs to be done about hit and runs. How could someone just leave another human?!? To die! It’s horrible.