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Trucker Who Killed Cyclist: "I Just Couldn't Stop"
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 14, 2012
Modified Jun 14, 2012
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 14, 2012
Modified Jun 14, 2012
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The cyclist who was struck and killed by a delivery truck at Bedford Avenue and Empire Boulevard on Tuesday has been identified as 24-year-old Emma Blumstein. Witnesses told CrownHeights.info that Blumstein was biking south on Bedford while the truck was turning left onto Empire. “She was just coming so fast and I was already into the turn; I just could not stop,” the driver told a reporter, who noted that they were "visibly shaken." This is an exceedingly common crash known as a left cross. The NYPD said there was no criminality suspected.
Blumstein was originally from Brookline, Massachusetts, graduated from Tufts University in 2010, and most recently worked as an executive assistant at Random House, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Streetsblog notes that if you live in the area where the crash occurred and are concerned about the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, you should speak to Deputy Inspector John Lewis of the 71st Precinct, or contact Council Member Mathieu Eugene.
Tagged
bike lanes
cycling fatalities
lefferts gardens
tragedies
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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