Dump Truck Driver Hits and Kills Carolyn Cox in Gowanus
Across the street
An 83-year-old pedestrian, Carolyn Cox, died after a driver turning a dump truck at Bond and Butler streets in Gowanus hit her; video reviewed by Gothamist showed her waving before the driver accelerated.
Location reported in Open Data.
What We Know
Carolyn Cox, 83, died after a driver turning a dump truck hit her as she crossed Bond Street near Butler Street in Gowanus. Streetsblog reported that video showed the driver stop to let Cox pass in front of the cab, then move forward before she reached the sidewalk. Gothamist reported that video showed Cox waving before the driver accelerated. Police said the driver later stopped at Third Avenue and Bergen Street. News accounts reported no arrest or charge at the time, with the investigation continuing.
A late-morning turn ended in a fatal hit
The city crash record says one pedestrian was killed at Bond Street and Butler Street in Brooklyn on June 26, 2024, at 11:33 a.m. Streetsblog and Gothamist also described a late-morning crash; the Brooklyn Eagle account reported 11:33 p.m.
Streetsblog reported that Carolyn Cox was crossing Bond Street when a driver in a private sanitation truck stopped, then moved forward before she reached the sidewalk. Gothamist reported that video showed Cox waving to alert the driver before he accelerated.
Bond and Butler formed a routine crossing point
The crash happened near the place where westbound Butler Street dead-ends at Bond Street in Gowanus. Gothamist reported that the crossing was the shortest path between Cox's home and a corner deli and did not have a marked crosswalk.
Carolyn Cox was remembered by neighbors
Police and news reports identified the pedestrian who died as 83-year-old Carolyn Cox. A neighbor quoted by Streetsblog said, "She was a very nice lady," and said Cox would greet people and go across the street for food.
The driver was in a dump truck tied to private sanitation work
The official record lists the vehicle as a dump truck and says the driver was making a right turn. The Brooklyn Eagle described it as a 2018 Kenworth dump truck traveling from Butler Street and attempting to turn right onto Bond Street.
Streetsblog reported that the driver worked for the private sanitation company D&A. The article said the company did not respond to a request for comment.
Police said the investigation continued
Police said the driver later stopped at Third Avenue and Bergen Street, according to Streetsblog and the Brooklyn Eagle. Streetsblog reported no charges at the time; the Brooklyn Eagle reported no arrests and said the investigation was ongoing.