Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Elderly Woman Struck and Killed in Brooklyn, Officials Say

By  Ben Fractenberg and Alexandra  Talty | November 16, 2015 4:01pm | Updated on November 16, 2015 5:15pm

 Helen Marszalek, 70, was killed after being struck by a vehicle on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Monday afternoon, according to the FDNY.
Helen Marszalek, 70, was killed after being struck by a vehicle on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Monday afternoon, according to the FDNY.
View Full Caption
DNAinfo/Alexandra Talty

BROOKLYN — An elderly female pedestrian was killed just blocks from her apartment after being struck by a vehicle on Atlantic Avenue Monday afternoon, according to the FDNY.

Helen Marszalek, 70, was at the intersection of Atlantic and Grant avenues when she hit by a BMW being driven westbound on Atlantic at about 1:24 p.m., officials said. There is no crosswalk at the intersection and the woman appears to have been jaywalking, according to several witnesses. 

The 39-year-old driver remained at the scene and there were no immediate arrests, an NYPD spokesman said. 

Marszalek, who lived at 227 Grant Ave., was taken to Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. 

Theresa DiNucci, a 73-year-old neighbor, described Marszalek as a "fantastic woman" who had four grandchildren. 

"She would take her shirt off her back to help you," said DiNucci, who lived next to the woman for 40 years. "You needed a favor, she was right there to do it. I can't say enough about her."

Atlantic Avenue was the first major street to have its speed limit reduced from 30 mph to 25 mph under the city's Vision Zero plan

Officials vowed to increase enforcement against reckless drivers after 12 pedestrians were killed in early November. 

The investigation is ongoing.