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Lepoldo Hernandez Struck, Killed by Two Vans in Brooklyn

By Sonja Sharp | January 11, 2012 9:22am

WILLIAMSBURG — A maintenance worker on his way to work was struck by two vans and killed in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, early Wednesday, police and fire officials said.

Lepoldo Hernandez, 57, had just left his home on South Second Street when a white 2002 Ford commercial van traveling eastbound slammed into him just after 6 a.m., police said. As he lay on the street, a gray 2005 minivan also hit him, police said.

"It sounded like an explosion, so he must have been going pretty fast," said Amanda Hernandez, 34, a neighbor who is not related to the victim. "By the time I looked out they already had him covered."

Hernandez, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic who has lived in the community for 30 years, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The drivers of the vehicles remained at the scene and were not immediately charged with any criminality, police said.

About 50 weeping neighbors and relatives — including his wife and brother — gathered at the scene.

"He was a wonderful man, a hard worker," said sister-in-law Martina Bautista. "A good father, good brother, good worker."