Sunset Park Hit-and-Run Sparks Brooklyn Street Overhaul Demands

A Call for Change After Tragic Hit-and-Run on Third Avenue

The recent tragic hit-and-run incident on Brooklyn’s Third Avenue has reignited long-standing concerns about traffic safety in the area. Two pedestrians, 80-year-old Kex Un Chen and 59-year-old Faqui Lin, were struck and killed while crossing the street at Third Avenue and 52nd Street. The driver involved in the crash has since been arrested and charged, but the tragedy has sparked renewed calls from local leaders, residents, and advocacy groups to take immediate action to make the corridor safer.

Advocates have pointed out that the need for improvements was first discussed over a decade ago. “We started talking about a plan in 2014 and it's now 2025,” said Brooklyn State Senator Andrew Gounardes. He emphasized that the community is tired of waiting for change after another tragedy occurs. “We wait until someone dies. We wait until a tragedy. We wait to say, 'oh my gosh, how could this possibly have happened?' We let this happen time and time again.”

City Councilmember Alexa Avilés echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of addressing safety concerns while considering the needs of the industrial business zone along the corridor. “We want the city to actually commit real capital to make sure that it can do treatments that truly address the safety concerns,” she said.

Since 2018, 80 New Yorkers have been killed or seriously injured along the two-mile stretch of Third Avenue, according to activists. Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes expressed frustration with the lack of progress, noting that there had been a pause in planning last fall, but no updates or communication from officials. “There's been no conversation, no updates,” she said.

One of the most dangerous intersections is at 60th Street, where three schools, an overpass with poor lighting, and proximity to a highway ramp create a hazardous environment. Residents describe the area as a place where drivers speed through, treating the neighborhood like a highway. “They speed off the ramp coming to this local street thinking it's a race,” said Jerry Chan, Vice Chair of Public Safety for Brooklyn Community Board 7.

Alexa Sledge, Director of Communications at Transportation Alternatives, added that the constant noise of large trucks and speeding cars is a daily reminder of the dangers faced by residents. “We can hear the endless din of really, really large trucks, all kinds of cars, treating this neighborhood street as a highway,” she said.

In response to the growing concerns, City Hall issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to enhancing safety and accessibility throughout the city. The statement highlighted the importance of receiving input from community members and local businesses before making any major changes to a corridor. “The Department of Transportation is currently integrating public feedback into project planning to determine next steps,” the statement said.

Personal Impact of Traffic Violence

For Jane Martin-Lavaud, the issue is deeply personal. Her daughter, Leonora Lavaud, was killed by a driver in Gravesend twelve years ago. Since then, Martin-Lavaud has become a dedicated advocate for traffic safety through Families for Safe Streets. “The traffic is a wee bit triggering,” she said. “When a traumatic event like this occurs, you feel very much isolated and betrayed by the universe.”

Martin-Lavaud shared her emotional struggle, holding a photo of her daughter as she spoke. “Who wants to have police at the door? Who wants to get that phone call? Who wants to have to go and show up at the city morgue and identify their child in a body bag?” she asked.

Her story underscores the human cost of unsafe streets and the urgent need for meaningful change. As the community continues to push for action, the hope is that future tragedies can be prevented through comprehensive safety upgrades and a stronger commitment to protecting pedestrians.