A nighttime ride on Flatbush Avenue ended in tragedy when a 60-year-old e-bike rider collided with a 72-year-old woman in Midwood, leaving the cyclist dead and the pedestrian badly hurt, police said.
The crash happened shortly before 9 p.m. on April 25 near New York Avenue, along a heavily traveled stretch of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. Paramedics rushed both people to Kings County Hospital, where the woman is expected to survive while the rider later died of his injuries, according to authorities.
Police identified the rider as Claud Sealy, 60, who officials say lived about a mile from the crash site. They reported that he died at Kings County Hospital on May 9. Both Sealy and the 72-year-old pedestrian were taken to the Brooklyn hospital immediately after the collision. The crash and its aftermath were reported by the New York Daily News, which said the NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad is handling the probe.
Investigation underway
The NYPD's Highway District Collision Investigation Squad, which investigates fatal and life-threatening crashes, is leading the inquiry. The department's collision FAQ explains that investigators document scenes, interview witnesses and may take months to complete their work. It also notes that not every fatal crash results in criminal charges. Family members may request investigative materials once the squad closes its probe, according to the NYPD collision FAQ.
E-bikes and a bigger safety debate
Crashes involving electric bicycles have been central to a larger citywide safety conversation in recent years, with coverage and city figures showing a rising share of cyclist fatalities involving e-bikes. As reported by Streetsblog, advocates and officials have argued over whether enforcement, infrastructure or equipment limits would most reduce harm.
The collision on Flatbush Avenue, a busy arterial that sees heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic, underscores calls for faster protected-bike-lane builds and targeted safety engineering on high-speed corridors.
The investigation remains active and authorities have not released a full sequence of events. Prosecutors will review the NYPD's findings should the case be forwarded for charges, and relatives or anyone with information can contact detectives assigned to the Highway District.
