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Teen on e-motorbike killed in crash near Brooklyn Bridge bike lane, steps from City Hall
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Liam Quigley
Published Jul 29, 2026
Modified Jul 29, 2026
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Brittany Kriegstein / Gothamist
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Liam Quigley
Published Jul 29, 2026
Modified Jul 29, 2026
Share
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A 17-year-old riding an electric motorbike was killed in Manhattan Wednesday morning after he collided with a Chevy Tahoe SUV while coming off the Brooklyn Bridge, police said.
NYPD officials reported the crash happened just before 9 a.m., steps away from City Hall, when the motorcycle rider, later identified as Gabriel Nacato of Brooklyn, merged into traffic heading north on Centre Street.
EMS pronounced Nacato dead. NYPD officials said he was not wearing a helmet.
The teen's belongings were scattered at the scene. A baseball cap, a backpack with a Tasmanian Devil cartoon, and a bouquet of purple flowers were left next to the crash site.
The motorbike, which did not have a license plate, was made by Deepower and appeared to be a model that is not legal to operate on city streets because it can reach 30 mph.
It's similar to a motorbike driven in a crash that killed a 60-year-old woman outside the Brooklyn Navy Yard last year. That two-wheeler was made by the company Movcan and is also not legal on city streets.
Brittany Kriegstein / Gothamist
The NYPD has in recent months worked to step up enforcement of illegal motorcycles and mopeds after an increase in fatal crashes involving those types of vehicles.
"There needs to be more done about it, especially on registered vehicles that don't really get seen as something that has to obey the law, especially over 15 mph," said Chris Wetmore, who works near the crash. "This area is covered in accidents."
The fatal crash occurred at Chambers and Centre streets, which was the site of a major street safety project intended to calm traffic and protect cyclists. The intersection is the first one cyclists and drivers reach coming off the Brooklyn Bridge.
Police officials said the 40-year-old driver of the SUV remained at the scene Wednesday morning. Police said they were still investigating the crash.
Charles Lane contributed reporting.
This story has been updated with new information.
Tagged
manhattan
new york city
public safety
transportation
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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Liam Quigley
Liam Quigley is a reporter covering parks & sanitation for Gothamist and WNYC. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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