Short summary: A 29-year-old woman was killed early Tuesday morning when a hit-and-run driver struck her while she waited on her e-bike at a Brooklyn intersection, and the driver is still not in custody. If you're hit by a driver who flees, you generally still have options for getting paid, even without their name.
It happened just before 6 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18, at the corner of Jamaica Avenue and Cypress Hills Street in Brooklyn. She was stopped on her e-bike, on her way to an early shift, when a white pickup truck heading west on Jamaica Avenue slammed into her from behind.
The driver didn't stop. Police say the truck kept going, turned north onto Cypress Hills Street, and disappeared.
A dangerous corner, long before this crash
This wasn't the first serious crash at that intersection, and neighbors say it won't be the last unless something changes.
Jamaica Avenue, Cypress Hills Street, and Euclid Avenue all meet at this one juncture. There's a protected bike lane on Cypress Hills Street, but nothing protects riders once they reach the intersection itself.
- At least 13 crashes have happened at or near this corner in the last five years.
- Those crashes left more than a dozen people injured.
- Advocates are now pushing the city for a redesign, not just another paint job.
What if the driver who hit you is never found?
Hit-and-run cases feel hopeless. They're not.
New York's 30-day no-fault clock still applies even if police never identify the driver, so filing fast still matters for medical bills. Beyond that, your own uninsured motorist coverage generally exists for exactly this situation: a driver who can't be found or didn't carry insurance.
We've written a full breakdown of the process here: Hit-and-Run Driver Got Away? You May Still Get Paid.
What to do if you were hurt by a driver who fled
- Call 911 and get a police report started, even if you didn't see a plate.
- See a doctor within 24 to 48 hours. Waiting can hurt both your health and your claim.
- Ask your own insurer about uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage right away.
- Write down everything you remember about the vehicle while it's fresh.
Questions New Yorkers ask us
What happens if the hit-and-run driver is never caught?
You generally can still file a claim through your own uninsured motorist coverage, which most New York auto policies include. It's not automatic though, and the paperwork and deadlines are strict, which is why getting advice early helps.
Do e-bike riders have the same rights as drivers after a crash?
Generally, yes. New York traffic law treats e-bikes similarly to bicycles, and a rider hurt by a negligent or fleeing driver typically has the same right to compensation as anyone else on the road.
How long do I have to file after a hit-and-run in New York?
Deadlines vary depending on the type of claim, from days for no-fault paperwork to years for a lawsuit, which is why it's worth getting advice now rather than waiting to see if police find the driver.
Not sure where you stand after a crash? Get your free case review or call (347) 526-1246. A real person answers, 24/7.
Reporting: Brooklyn Paper.
