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Elderly Man Struck and Killed by Van in Borough Park

By Ben Fractenberg | March 12, 2012 1:05pm | Updated on March 12, 2012 4:20pm
A pedestrian was struck and killed by a van at Utrecht Avenue in Brooklyn on March 12, 2012.
A pedestrian was struck and killed by a van at Utrecht Avenue in Brooklyn on March 12, 2012.
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DNAinfo/Nicholas Rizzi

BROOKLYN — An elderly man was killed when he was struck by a van crossing a street at a busy Borough Park intersection Monday afternoon, according fire officials.

The accident unfolded on New Utrecht Avenue, 50th Street and 12th Avenue about 12:30 p.m., the fire department said.

"I heard a huge bang and I saw the man flying four or five meters," said a man who works nearby and would only give his first name, David. "I came out and called 911."

David said the van stayed on the scene after striking the 69-year-old man.

The driver, 59, who would not give his name, told DNAinfo he was driving north on New Utrecht Avenue with his 25-year-old son when the man suddenly stepped into the street in front of him. He was unable to brake in time.

The accident happened at a busy intersection where Utrecht Avenue, 50th Street and 12th Avenue all intersect.
The accident happened at a busy intersection where Utrecht Avenue, 50th Street and 12th Avenue all intersect.
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DNAinfo/Nicholas Rizzi

The motorist said he stopped and ran out to check on the man who was "moving a little bit" before being taken away by the ambulance.

The victim was rushed to Maimonides Hospital by a Hatzolah ambulance where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver was not arrested.

A local resident said the three-road intersection is dangerous because it's hard to tell where the traffic is coming from.

"You can't see [who has] the right of way," said Harriet Lebabics, 56, who has lived in the neighborhood for 24 years. "When I have to cross it's like I'm taking my life into my hands."