Short summary: A driver struck and killed a 46-year-old man on an East New York street early Sunday and never stopped, and as of now police have not named a suspect. In New York, you generally do not need a driver's name to start a claim, but the clock to protect benefits starts right away.
It happened just after 1 a.m. on Pitkin Avenue near Chestnut Street in East New York, Brooklyn. A man was in the roadway when a vehicle hit him and kept going.
Medics rushed him to Brookdale University Hospital, where he later died. Police are still trying to figure out how he ended up in the street, and whether the driver even realized someone had been hit.
What we know so far
Here's what's been reported:
- The crash happened around 1 a.m. Sunday on Pitkin Avenue near Chestnut Street.
- The victim was a 46-year-old man. His name has not been released.
- The driver left the scene. No vehicle description or suspect has been made public yet.
- Investigators have not said whether charges are expected once, or if, the driver is found.
This is the kind of case that can sit open for weeks or months. That is hard on a family, but it does not have to mean their options are frozen too.
You don't need the driver's name to protect your claim
A lot of families assume nothing can happen until police make an arrest. That's generally not true in New York.
No-fault benefits start regardless
New York's no-fault system is built to pay medical bills and lost wages fast, no matter who caused the crash. But the deadline to file that paperwork is short, and it does not wait for an investigation to finish. We break down the exact timeline in our guide to the 30-day no-fault deadline.
When the driver is never identified, MVAIC can step in
If the driver is never found, a hit-and-run victim's family can generally still pursue compensation through New York's Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation, which exists for exactly this situation. We walk through how that works in Hit-and-Run or Uninsured Driver: What Now.
What to do in the meantime
If you or someone you love has been hurt by a driver who fled, a few steps generally help protect the claim while police keep working:
- Get medical care documented right away, even for injuries that seem minor at first.
- Save any paperwork from the hospital, the ambulance, and the police report number.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before you understand your rights. Our guide on talking to the insurance adjuster covers what to expect.
- Talk to someone who handles these cases regularly, since deadlines and rules vary by situation.
If you're not sure what applies to you, our overview of what to do after a car accident in New York is a good place to start.
Questions New Yorkers ask us
What happens if the hit-and-run driver is never caught?
You generally are not left without options. New York's MVAIC fund exists specifically for crashes where the at-fault driver can't be identified or has no insurance. It works differently than a normal claim, so it helps to get guidance early rather than waiting on the police investigation.
Do I still need to file paperwork if I don't know who hit me?
Yes, generally. No-fault benefits in New York run on a short clock that starts from the date of the crash, not from the date a driver is identified. Waiting on an arrest can cost you benefits you'd otherwise be entitled to.
Should I wait to see if police make an arrest before getting help?
We'd generally say no. Medical bills and lost income do not pause for an investigation, and evidence like surveillance footage can disappear within days. Getting your own timeline documented early protects you either way.
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: Hoodline.
