Native politicians, road security advocates, and group teams rallied on the intersection of sixtieth Road and Third Avenue in Sundown Park on Wednesday, demanding the Adams administration implement site visitors security measures on Third Avenue after a hit-and-run claimed the lives of two pedestrians, 59-year-old Faqui Lin and 80-year-old Kex Un Chen.
Lin and Un Chen have been crossing the intersection at 52nd Road and third Avenue round 4:30 a.m. on July 1 when 23-year-old driver Juventino Anastacio Florentino, who was headed southbound on Third Avenue struck the 2 males after allegedly operating a purple mild. Florentino fled the scene however was later arrested and charged with criminally negligent murder and manslaughter, amongst others.
In response to knowledge from Crash Mapper, 80 folks have been killed or injured on the two-mile stretch of Third Avenue between the Prospect and Gowanus expressways since 2018. In 2021, over 5,500 pace digicam tickets have been issued alongside the avenue between fiftieth and sixtieth streets. The pressing name to reinstate site visitors security enhancements on the two-mile stretch comes on the heels of recent knowledge from Transportation Alternate options and Households for Protected Streets, which exhibits that site visitors fatalities in Brooklyn are on the rise, regardless that site visitors fatalities are declining citywide.
A pedestrian waits on the midblock crossing on Third Avenue. Picture by Gabriele Holtermann
Advocates mentioned many intersections on Third Avenue aren’t ADA accessible due to cobblestone and lacking curb cuts. Components of the sidewalks are inaccessible and discontinuous, they added, and an absence of streetlights or protected bike lanes paired with double-parked vans and poor visibility endanger the lives of pedestrians and cyclists.
Security enchancment designs for the harmful thoroughfare have been floated for years. In 2023, the New York Metropolis Division of Transportation proposed a security overhaul of the avenue, and the venture was authorized by Neighborhood Board 7. Nevertheless, final April, the DOT delayed the plan, which incorporates safer pedestrian crossings, parking-protected bike lanes, a traffic-calming highway food plan, and extra infrastructure upgrades.
On July 23, road security advocates and native pols slammed the Adams administration for delaying the life-saving infrastructure.
Council Member Alexa Avilés, whose district consists of Sundown Park, emphasised that investing in “real public safety infrastructure” alongside Third Avenue is important for residents, companies, and guests alike.
Alexa Avilés mentioned investing in “real public safety infrastructure” alongside third Avenue was important for residents and companies. Picture by Gabriele Holtermann
“I am here to stand with our community again, to call for real investment, to call for real earnest movement forward, and to really address some of the challenges, because there are real tensions with what this corridor is used for,” she mentioned. “What it takes is real political will and real capital investment.”
Elizabeth Adams, Deputy Government Director for Public Affairs at Transportation Alternate options, mentioned it was “unconscionable” to delay road security measures which have confirmed efficient.
“Sunset Park, for years, has demanded change, but continues to be met with stalled projects by this mayor,” she mentioned. “This will only mean more crashes, more injuries, more fatalities on this street until something changes.”
Through the rally, a loaded automotive provider trailer tried to show onto Third Avenue from sixtieth Road, and the motive force needed to again up just a few instances to make the flip.
A loaded automotive hauler truck tried to show onto third Avenue from sixtieth Road and needed to again up just a few instances. Picture by Gabriele Holtermann
“How many of you all saw that truck trying to turn over here and having to back up and keep turning?” mentioned state Sen Andrew Gounardes. “This is not meant to be a highway. This is where people walk. This is where people live. This is where kids go to school.”
He pointed to an NYPD digital message board on the nook of sixtieth Road and third Avenue, telling drivers to cease for pedestrians. The signal was put up only a week in the past, Gounardes mentioned.
Solely final week an NYPD digital message board went up on the nook of sixtieth Road and third Avenue, telling drivers to cease for pedestrians. Picture by Gabriele Holtermann
“We should all be offended, offended, angry, insulted that the response from our city to two deaths blocks away from here is a sign that says, ‘Be careful.’ This is the mentality that we all too often take when it comes to keeping people safe on our streets,” Gounardes mentioned. “We wait until someone dies, we wait until a tragedy. We wait until we say, ‘Oh my gosh.’ How could this possibly have happened? We let this happen time and time again.”
Meeting Member Marcela Mitaynes mentioned the Sundown Park group has been elevating the alarm bells concerning the unsafe highway situations for years.
“Seniors, children, and community members are expected to cross six lanes of traffic in order to access essential services like public transportation and food pantries. This is unacceptable,” Mitaynes mentioned. “We’ve seen how data-driven street redesign saves lives. It’s time to bring those investments to Brooklyn, not in a few years, not eventually, but now. Safer streets are not a privilege, they are a right.”
Matilda, a mom of two , worries about her daughters’ security once they cross Third Avenue on their method to faculty. Picture by Gabriele Holtermann
Matilda, a Sundown Park resident and mom of two, lives close to the nook of sixtieth Road and Third Avenue. Her two daughters attend the general public faculties positioned on the nook of the intersection, P.S. 939 and M.S. 936, and she or he is anxious about their security.
“No one should worry that their children are going to die crossing the street just to get to school. So we need this street to be safer for all of our children,” Matilda mentioned.
When reached for remark, DOT referred Brooklyn Paper to Metropolis Corridor.
“The Adams administration is committed to enhancing safety and accessibility throughout the city so that all New Yorkers — whether they’re walking, biking, or driving — can move through their neighborhoods safely,” a Metropolis Corridor spokesperson mentioned in an announcement. “Prior to making any major changes to a corridor, we receive comprehensive input from community members and local businesses to ensure every voice is heard. The Department of Transportation is currently integrating public feedback into project planning to determine next steps.”
Replace 7/23/25 6 p.m.: This story has been up to date with remark from Metropolis Corridor.
