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Man killed in Downtown Brooklyn e-bike crash identified by police

Thomas Martin Vakas, 77, was riding a stand-up scooter westbound on Schermerhorn Street inside the designated bike lane when he collided with a 47-year-old bicyclist, according to police.

Cole McDonnell

and

Molly Bruton

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Sep 9, 2026, 9:06 PM

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The NYPD has identified the man killed in a collision involving a scooter and bicycle in Downtown Brooklyn on Monday.

Thomas Martin Vakas, 77, was riding a stand-up scooter westbound on Schermerhorn Street inside the designated bike lane when he collided with a 47-year-old bicyclist, according to police.

Investigators say the bicyclist was traveling eastbound on Schermerhorn Street outside the bike lane and attempted to re-enter the lane between two parked, unoccupied vehicles when the collision occurred.

Both men were thrown to the pavement, and neither was wearing a helmet, according to police.

Vakas was taken to Methodist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The bicyclist remained at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

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