E-bike rider fatally injures pedestrian in Greenpoint.
A little less tired
An e-bike rider struck and fatally injured 49-year-old Luis Cruz at Franklin and India streets in Brooklyn at 7:41 p.m. on March 21, 2025, according to the city record; a restaurant worker told Gothamist the rider went through a stop sign.
Location reported in Open Data.
What We Know
An e-bike rider struck and fatally injured Luis Cruz, 49, on Franklin Street near India Street in Greenpoint. Brooklyn Paper reported that police said Cruz was crossing midblock; Patch described him walking on a crosswalk toward Franklin Street, while a witness told Gothamist Cruz was leaving a double-parked car. The witness also said the rider went through a stop sign. Police said the rider stayed at the scene. Reports differ about where Cruz died: Gothamist quoted the witness saying, "He died basically on the spot," while Brooklyn Paper and Patch reported that he died after being taken to Bellevue Hospital. News 12 reported that the investigation was ongoing, and outlets reported no arrests or charges by March 24.
Reports differ on what Cruz was doing before impact.
Brooklyn Paper, citing police, reported that a 26-year-old e-bike rider hit Cruz as he crossed Franklin Street midblock between India and Java streets. Patch, also citing police, described Cruz walking on a crosswalk toward Franklin Street. Gothamist quoted neighborhood restaurant worker Jack Collins, who said Cruz was leaving his double-parked car when the rider hit him.
Collins said the rider was rushing to deliver food and went through a stop sign. The official vehicle record lists traffic control disregarded as a contributing factor and records southbound, straight-ahead travel.
At Franklin and India streets.
The city record places the crash at Franklin Street and India Street in Brooklyn at 7:41 p.m. on March 21, 2025. Gothamist and Brooklyn Paper reported about 7:40 p.m.; Patch and News 12 reported about 7:45 p.m. News 12 reported that Franklin Street between India and Java streets was closed for several hours as emergency crews responded.
Neighbors remembered Cruz and left a memorial.
Police identified Cruz as a 49-year-old man. Neighbors told News 12 they saw him coming and going to work and described him as a "decent guy." An unsigned note at a flower memorial described him as a father who worked tirelessly to provide for his family.
Neighbor Ada Ramos told News 12, "I can't believe that happened to him." She added, "I'm pretty shocked right now."
The rider stayed as the investigation continued.
Police said the rider remained at the scene. News 12 reported that authorities did not suspect criminality and that the investigation was ongoing. Brooklyn Paper reported no arrests had been made by Monday afternoon, March 24; Patch said no charges had been filed by Monday evening.
Reports differ about where Cruz died. Gothamist quoted Collins saying, "He died basically on the spot." Brooklyn Paper and Patch reported that Cruz was taken to Bellevue Hospital and died there. News 12 also reported that he died at a hospital after suffering severe head trauma.