Agony: Pedestrian’s death in Dyker addresses ‘daylighting,’ as victim’s family members reach out to community for support

January 23, 2024 Wayne Daren Schneiderman

Wei Zhao (center) grieves alongside State Sen. Iwen Chu, family members and members of the community, mourning the loss of Dyker Heights resident Xiaohong Chen.
Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle

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DYKER HEIGHTS — After the death of yet another pedestrian — this time at the hands of a pickup truck driver on Tuesday — it begs the question as to what recourse can be taken looking forward to prevent future fatalities.

Xiaohong Chen was struck and killed by a vehicle at the intersection of 13th and Bay Ridge avenues on Jan. 16.<br>Photo courtesy of Wei Zhao — Xiaohong Chen was struck and killed by a vehicle at the intersection of 13th and Bay Ridge avenues on Jan. 16.
Photo courtesy of Wei Zhao

Xiaohong Chen, 52, a beloved mother and wife in the Dyker Heights community, left her family’s home at approximately 8 p.m. on Jan. 16 to pick up groceries. She was struck by a Dodge Ram pickup that which was making a left turn onto Bay Ridge Avenue from 13th Avenue. Chen was crossing Bay Ridge Avenue — just a few blocks from her home.

EMS transported Chen to Maimonides Medical Center in critical condition, but she could not be saved. The 72-year-old pickup truck driver remained on scene and was not arrested.

Chen is the fourth pedestrian to be killed in a crash in New York City so far in 2024, according to data compiled by NYC Crash Mapper, which tracks traffic injuries and fatalities.

Pedestrian deaths often occur because the driver or the pedestrian simply cannot see what is coming around the corner.

In November, Mayor Eric Adams pledged to “daylight” 1,000 intersections every year, soon after a 7-year-old boy was killed by a turning NYPD tow truck driver at a non-daylit intersection.

The concept of “daylighting” is to make certain that there is no parking near an intersection, so that pedestrians and drivers can see each other better as they approach said intersection.

State Sen. Iwen Chu agreed that daylighting could certainly be a way to prevent future tragedies, but pointed out that it is no silver bullet.

State Sen. Iwen Chu (right) attempts to console the victim’s husband, Wei Zhao.<br>Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle — State Sen. Iwen Chu (right) attempts to console the victim’s husband, Wei Zhao.
Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle

“There is no one solution that fits every corner of the city,” Chu told the Brooklyn Eagle. “Brooklyn is a very unique place, and we are – and will continue to be – working with community boards as well as the Department of Transportation concerning this — working on different street designs, revisiting planning initiatives, safety and talking about prevention. We want to make sure everyone can feel safe going down their block.”

State Sen. Iwen Chu.Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle — State Sen. Iwen Chu.
Photo: Wayne Daren Schneiderman/Brooklyn Eagle

Chen’s family, which included her visibly grieving and distraught 63-year-old husband, Wei Zhao, and more than a dozen community members, held a press conference at Chu’s office on Friday, calling for support in the form of donations.

Chen, who worked as a seamstress, was the sole provider for the family.

Zhao described his late wife as “a great mother and companion, and a very hard worker,” and has recently launched a GoFundMe page setting a goal of $50,000 to cover Chen’s funeral expenses, the family’s living costs, and the education costs for Zhao’s 14-year-old son — who has not eaten or slept in days, according to Zhao.

“This family came to the United States 30 years ago to live the American dream,” Chu explained. “This is a tragedy that never should have happened; it’s heartbreaking. There has got to be something we can do to address pedestrian safety. We just cannot have another life lost.”