Sheepshead Bay & Marine Park

Crime & Mayhem

Drunk Driver Kills Teenage Cyclist in Brooklyn, NYPD Says

July 18, 2016 10:00am | Updated July 18, 2016 10:00am

BROOKLYN — A drunk driver was arrested Sunday after fatally striking a 17-year-old cyclist in Gerritsen Beach, police said.

Thomas Groarke, 24, was driving his Honda Accord south on Gerritsen Avenue, near Gotham Avenue, about 8:47 p.m. when he swerved into a painted median where he hit Sean Ryan, who was riding his bike in the opposite direction, police said.

Ryan, who lived nearby on Opal Court, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Groarke, of Bay Ridge, was arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter, driving while intoxicated and driving while his ability was impaired by alcohol, police said.

He hadn't been arraigned as of Monday morning, according to court records.

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