Driver Doing Donuts Kills Pedestrian in Brooklyn Parking Lot
Police said Zachary Cando hit 21-year-old Ruiz while doing donuts in a 2023 Genesis G80 in the Gateway Center lot at about 12:30 a.m., matching the official fatal pedestrian crash record at 395 Gateway Drive.
What We Know
Around 12:30 a.m. on July 13, 2025, a driver hit a 21-year-old pedestrian near 395 Gateway Drive in Brooklyn. Police told reporters that Zachary Cando, 24, was driving a 2023 Genesis G80 in the Gateway Center lot and said in court documents that he “lost control” while he was “doing donuts.” EMS took Ruiz to Brookdale, where she died. City crash data attributes the crash to driver inattention or distraction, and the vehicle record also lists unsafe speed. Cando stayed at the scene and was charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment and reckless driving.
Police said the driver lost control while doing donuts
The official record places the fatal crash at about 12:30 a.m. on July 13, 2025, near 395 Gateway Drive in Brooklyn. It records one pedestrian, a 21-year-old woman, killed and lists driver inattention or distraction as a contributing factor.
Police told reporters that Zachary Cando, 24, was driving a 2023 Genesis G80 in the Gateway Center lot when he veered and hit Ruiz, who was sitting along a curb. Court documents cited by the Daily News say Cando told police he “lost control” while he was “doing donuts.”
Gateway Drive has seen repeated crashes since 2022
The crash was recorded near 395 Gateway Drive in East New York, by the Gateway Center shopping area. Police accounts placed it in the parking lot near Dave & Buster’s and Erskine Street.
CrashCountNYC’s location review for Gateway Drive in Brooklyn counts 174 crashes, 111 injuries and 9 serious injuries from the start of 2022 through June 1, 2026.
Ruiz was 21, and relatives described a family night out
The official record identifies the person killed as a 21-year-old female pedestrian. News reports identify her as Ruiz, with her first name spelled Madison in some accounts and Madisyn in others.
The Daily News reported that relatives said Ruiz had gone to Dave & Buster’s with family members. Griselda Caraballo told the paper, “She was a nice and kind girl, always smiling.” The official crash record lists no injured people; the Daily News reported that two nephews hurt their legs and were expected to recover.
Cando was charged after staying at the scene
News accounts said Cando remained at the parking lot after the crash and was arrested hours later. He was charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment and reckless driving.
Reports differed on what happened after arraignment. One Daily News article and the Post reported bail was set at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond, while a later Daily News story said Cando was released.