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1 man dead, another critically injured in Bushwick wall collapse, NYC officials say
By
Ryan Kost
and
Catalina Gonella
Published Feb 26, 2026
Modified Feb 26, 2026
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Catalina Gonella / Gothamist
By
Ryan Kost
and
Catalina Gonella
Published Feb 26, 2026
Modified Feb 26, 2026
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One man is dead and another man is critically injured after a wall collapsed at a construction site in Bushwick on Thursday morning, NYPD officials said.
Police received a call at approximately 8:30 a.m. reporting that a wall had given way on Jefferson Street near Central Avenue, hitting two men, ages 47 and 40.
Both men were taken to area hospitals, where the 47-year-old was pronounced dead, according to the NYPD.
Mirian Rodríguez, who lives across the street from the site, said her daughter once owned the two-story home that stood at the location but sold it last year when she moved to Staten Island.
The new owners, Rodríguez said, had demolished the building in recent weeks. She said she was at church when she learned something had happened at the site.
“I’m so sad for the people who was working in there because I hear that someone passed away, someone died, someone is in critical,” said Rodríguez, 65. “It's so sad.”
There is an active permit for foundation work at the site, along with “vertical enlargement of the structure,” according to the Department of Buildings. Inspectors noted a “portion of the rubble foundation had collapsed,” a spokesperson said.
By noon Thursday, an investigation was still underway at the site, a massive construction trench in the ground between two buildings. The street was closed off to traffic as officials investigated.
Representatives from the Department of Buildings were present, including Commissioner Ahmed Tigani.
This story is based on preliminary information from police and has been updated with additional details.
Tagged
brooklyn
bushwick
new york city
public safety
Ryan Kost
Ryan Kost is a reporter on the day-of news desk, where he covers breaking news and writes enterprise stories about jails, courts, prosecutors and government accountability. His work focuses on the public institutions that shape life in New York. Before joining the newsroom, he lead a multi-part investigation with Columbia Journalism Investigations and New York Focus into how New York prosecutors handle wrongful conviction claims. He's also been a staff writer at The San Francisco Chronicle, The Associated Press and The Oregonian. Got a tip? Signal: ryankost.20
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Catalina Gonella
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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