Dump truck hits cyclist in Downtown Brooklyn, 1 in critical condition

2 women on same bike hit at busy intersection of Tillary and Adams streets

November 16, 2023 Mary Frost

Mangled bicycle parts and other debris remained scattered under the dump truck’s front chassis following Wednesday’s crash. Two women were riding the same bicycle. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

Share this:

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Two women riding the same bicycle were struck by a massive dump truck at the intersection of Tillary and Adams streets Wednesday afternoon, leaving the 54-year-old passenger in critical condition with trauma to the head, and the 29-year-old bike operator in stable condition with neck and back injuries, according to police.

The 54-year-old passenger was transported to NYP Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.

The two cyclists were traveling northbound on Adams Street towards the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge bike path at roughly 3:06 p.m. when they were struck from behind by a 2007 Western Star dump truck heading westbound, driven by a 52-year-old man. The driver of the truck stayed at the scene, police said.

NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad carried out their investigation of Wednesday’s devastating bicycle-truck collision into the night at the intersection of Tillary and Adams streets. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

Mangled bicycle parts and other debris were scattered under the truck’s front chassis, and the busy intersection remained shut for hours as police investigated. No charges have been filed at this time.

“I’m devastated that a dump truck hit a cyclist at Adams & Tillary in Downtown BK this afternoon,” Councilmember Lincoln Restler, a bicycle path advocate, wrote on Twitter/X Wednesday afternoon. “It’s a tragic & urgent reminder that we must act to make cycling safer in NYC w/ protected network of lanes.”

The rear section of the bicycle, seen here, appeared to be severed from the front section. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

A witness told Streetsblog that he believed the truck driver had the light, but police have not confirmed that at this time. According to Streetsblog, there have been 27 cyclist fatalities this year, and 4,515 injured, amounting to 14 cyclists injured every day.