Dump‑Truck Driver Runs Light, Kills Woman
A dump‑truck driver blew a left at Kingsland and Richardson and hit a woman crossing with the signal. Police say he ignored the light and didn’t stop. She died from crush injuries in the crosswalk.
What We Know
A woman was killed at Kingsland Avenue and Richardson Street when a dump‑truck driver turned left and hit her as she crossed with the signal. According to the police report, the driver disregarded the traffic control and did not stop, causing crush injuries to her entire body. Police recorded driver inattention and failure to obey the signal as contributing factors. The crash happened on a Monday morning in Brooklyn and involved a large truck.
The driver turned left as Muniz crossed with the signal
The crash happened at about 6:41 a.m. on Aug. 21, 2023, at Kingsland Avenue and Richardson Street. The official record says a driver in a dump truck was making a left turn when a pedestrian was killed while crossing at the intersection with the signal.
Gothamist reported that police were searching for the dump truck driver after the crash and said the driver did not remain at the scene. The Daily News later identified the pedestrian as Agustina Muniz, 86, and reported that medics took her to Woodhull Hospital, where she died.
Reports placed the intersection at a neighborhood border
The official record places the crash at Kingsland Avenue and Richardson Street in Brooklyn. Gothamist described the location as Williamsburg, while the Daily News described it as Greenpoint.
A red-light allegation matched the official traffic-control factor
The official record cites Traffic Control Disregarded for the crash and also lists Driver Inattention/Distraction for the driver. A lawyer for Muniz's family told the Daily News that dashcam video showed the driver running a red light before turning into Muniz as she crossed.
The suspected driver surrendered and faced a manslaughter charge
The Daily News reported on Sept. 26, 2023, that Luis Gutierrez, 28, of Washington Heights, surrendered to police, had already been indicted by a grand jury, and was awaiting arraignment on a manslaughter charge.
The Daily News also reported that the family planned to sue Gutierrez and J Brothers Trucking, which the family's lawyer said was his employer because he was driving a company vehicle at the time of the collision.