A 53-year-old man riding his bike through Borough Park on Wednesday afternoon was killed when a cement truck struck him on 16th Avenue, police said. The crash happened just after 3 p.m. near 49th Street. Paramedics rushed the cyclist to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The truck driver stayed at the scene, and police shut down part of 16th Avenue for hours as investigators combed through evidence and reviewed surveillance footage that captured the moments leading up to the impact.
What video and police reports show
According to News 12 New York, both the cement truck and the cyclist were heading south on 16th Avenue when the collision occurred. The outlet reports the cyclist as 53 years old and the truck driver as 68. Crews could be seen blocking multiple lanes near the intersection as investigators documented the scene and directed traffic around the crash site.
Recent crashes near 49th Street
Gothamist has previously reported on a deadly October 2025 collision at 18th Avenue and 49th Street, where an 84-year-old pedestrian was killed. That tragedy highlighted what many neighbors already feared: the stretch around 49th Street has become a repeat trouble spot. Local residents and community leaders have for years sounded the alarm about heavy truck traffic and fast-moving cars along the wider 16th Avenue corridor.
Citywide safety context
Traffic safety advocates say crashes like Wednesday’s are part of a broader pattern in New York City, especially for people on bikes. Streetsblog New York City has documented rising cyclist deaths in recent years and has repeatedly called for a faster buildout of protected bike lanes. Transportation groups argue that stronger physical separation between trucks and cyclists, along with tougher enforcement of designated truck routes, could help prevent similar deadly collisions.
Investigation and next steps
Police say the investigation into the crash is ongoing, with collision specialists reviewing video and witness accounts. Part of 16th Avenue remained shut down during the afternoon probe, as reported by News 12 New York. No charges have been announced. For cycling and street-safety advocates, the latest fatality is yet another painful data point in their push for more protected infrastructure and stricter truck enforcement across southern Brooklyn.
