NYPD Officer Hit and Killed Pedestrian on Eastern Parkway
At 8:07 p.m. on April 7, 2022, an NYPD officer driving west on Eastern Parkway hit and killed 53-year-old pedestrian Ronald Smith, Streetsblog reported, while the city crash record cited driver inattention.
What We Know
Ronald Smith, 53, was killed at about 8:07 p.m. on April 7, 2022, at Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. The city crash record describes a male driver in a westbound SUV, going straight, and lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor. Streetsblog reported that the driver was an NYPD officer, that a witness said the police van was speeding while trying to get through Eastern Parkway and Schenectady Avenue, and that the officer was placed on modified duty. The article also reported that the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau took over the case and that the state Attorney General opened a review.
A pedestrian was killed at night on Eastern Parkway
The official crash record says the crash happened at 8:07 p.m. on April 7, 2022, on Eastern Parkway. A 53-year-old male pedestrian was killed at an intersection, and no other injuries were recorded.
Streetsblog identified the pedestrian as Ronald Smith and reported that the driver was an NYPD officer. The article said a witness claimed the police van was speeding as the officer tried to get through Eastern Parkway and Schenectady Avenue.
Eastern Parkway and Schenectady Avenue were central to the account
The city record places the fatal crash on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. Streetsblog reported that the witness account involved the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Schenectady Avenue.
The official record and press account describe the NYPD vehicle differently
The city crash record lists the vehicle as a 2016 Chevrolet SUV traveling west and going straight ahead, with six occupants. Streetsblog described the NYPD vehicle as a police van.
Driver inattention is listed; speeding and a red light were alleged
The official record lists driver inattention or distraction for the driver. Streetsblog reported allegations that the officer had been speeding and running a red light, while also noting that police declined to provide detailed answers about the crash.
The officer was placed on modified duty as reviews began
Streetsblog reported that the officer was placed on modified duty, that the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau took over the case, and that Attorney General Letitia James opened a review under the state process for deaths that may involve law enforcement officials.
A relative of Smith objected to how other outlets described him. “I am this man’s sister,” J. Floyd told Streetsblog. “He has family, and he is loved.”