NEW YORK CITY, New York County, N.Y., Sept. 30, 2026 — A 71-year-old woman was critically injured after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Bay Ridge Parkway on Tuesday night, September 29, police said.
The crash happened just after 8 p.m. A 42-year-old woman driving along the parkway struck the 71-year-old as she was crossing.
The 71-year-old suffered trauma to her body, officers reported. EMS took her to Maimonides Medical Center, where she remained in critical condition.
The investigation is ongoing. We hope everyone who was hurt makes a speedy recovery.
Who Faces the Greatest Risk in Brooklyn Pedestrian Crashes
Older adults are hurt and killed by cars at rates well above younger pedestrians. Their bodies recover more slowly from blunt trauma, and injuries that a younger person might walk away from can turn life threatening for someone in their 70s or 80s.
Time of day matters too. Crashes that happen after dusk, when a driver's ability to spot someone in the roadway drops sharply, make up a large share of pedestrian deaths nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 77 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark in 2023.
Crosswalks near busy parkways and multi-lane roads see repeated incidents because drivers are often moving at higher speeds and have less time to react to someone stepping into the road. Older pedestrians crossing these wider roadways face a longer exposure window with less time to clear the distance before a light changes or traffic resumes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a car's speed change a pedestrian's chances of survival?
Yes. Survival odds drop sharply as speed increases. A pedestrian struck at lower speeds is far more likely to survive than one hit by a vehicle traveling at higher speeds, because the force of impact and the distance a person is thrown both increase with speed.
Where do most pedestrian crashes happen?
Most occur away from intersections, often when someone is crossing mid-block, but crosswalks on wide, multi-lane roads also see frequent crashes, especially where traffic turns across a walkway.
Are pedestrian crashes more common at night?
Yes. A large majority of pedestrian deaths happen after dark, when visibility is lower and drivers have less time to see and react to someone in or near the roadway.
What should a pedestrian do after being hit by a car?
Call 911 immediately, stay as still as possible until help arrives, and seek a medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor. Some injuries, including internal trauma, are not obvious right away.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Brooklyn, NY
Anyone hurt in a pedestrian crash should get checked by a medical professional as soon as possible, even if they feel able to walk away, since some injuries take hours or days to show symptoms. Reporting the crash to police promptly, gathering the names of any witnesses, and keeping records of medical visits can all help later on. Family members trying to reach a hospital or track down a police report should contact the precinct that covers the area where the crash happened for the most current information.
