Brooklyn teen killed riding illegal e-bike in crash near City Hall
Gabriel Nacato, 17, was riding a Deepower QS7 electric bicycle when he exited the protected bike lane and collided with an SUV. It happened near Centre and Chambers streets just before 9 a.m., according to the NYPD.
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Police say a Brooklyn teen was killed riding an illegal e-bike crash near City Hall on Wednesday morning.
Gabriel Nacato, 17, was riding a Deepower QS7 electric bicycle when he exited the protected bike lane and collided with an SUV. It happened near Centre and Chambers streets just before 9 a.m., according to the NYPD.
It happened about 9 miles from Nacato's home in Bensonhurst.
Police say Nacato was riding the bike northbound on Centre Street and exited the bike lane at Chambers Street where he attempted to merge into traffic and struck the driver's side door of a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe.
The teen fell onto the road and hit his head. Police say paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
According to the NYPD, the 40-year-old woman who was driving the Chevy SUV stayed at the crash site.
Citizen app footage taken Wednesday morning captured the aftermath. The video showed the Chevy SUV in the middle of the street, just steps from Nacato's e-bike, seen rested against a median.
On Wednesday afternoon, Transportation Alternatives and city leaders sounded the alarm about the continued sale of illegal e-bikes, like the one Nacato was riding.
Transportation Alternatives and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams gathered to mourn the teens tragic death and to call on the Attorney General and City Council to end the sale of illegal high-speed devices.
“No one should be able to buy an illegal high-speed device on the internet and have it shipped to New York. These devices are a threat to everyone — regardless of whether you’re riding on one yourself or walking or biking near one," said Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives.
No charges have been released as of Thursday afternoon.
