Borough Park Tragedy Unfolds as Van Driver's Licenseless Move Claims Life of 84-Year-Old Pedestrian, Injures Another
A harrowing incident shook the streets of Borough Park on Wednesday evening when a 38-year-old Brooklyn man allegedly ran over an 84-year-old pedestrian and injured another, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
According to police, Jose Ramirez was behind the wheel of a Ford Transit van at approximately 6:30 pm when he collided with Noach Klein, who was walking across 18th Avenue near 49th Street. Despite having the right-of-way, both men were outside the designated crosswalk. Miraculously, Klein crossed the street before being struck.
However, fate had other plans for Klein and a second victim, identified as a 54-year-old man. Both of them suffered severe injuries, forcing their immediate hospitalization at Maimonides Medical Center. Unfortunately, Klein succumbed to his wounds at the medical facility, leaving behind an untimely death that has shaken the community.
According to police reports, Ramirez remained on the scene and was arrested hours later for driving without a valid license. Further investigations revealed that he had been operating the vehicle in New York State without being registered or insured.
Ramirez's whereabouts were unclear, but it is known that he resides in Midwood. Unfortunately, his lawyer's contact information was not readily available.
Klein, an 84-year-old resident of South Williamsburg, had a storied past as the owner of a local silver shop just steps from the intersection where the incident occurred. A distraught family member answered the phone on Thursday but declined to comment due to emotional turmoil ahead of Klein's funeral.
The NYPD's collision investigation squad is still working diligently to unravel the circumstances surrounding the crash, which marks the fourth pedestrian death in the 66th Precinct this year alone, surpassing last year's total around the same time by two incidents.
A harrowing incident shook the streets of Borough Park on Wednesday evening when a 38-year-old Brooklyn man allegedly ran over an 84-year-old pedestrian and injured another, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.
According to police, Jose Ramirez was behind the wheel of a Ford Transit van at approximately 6:30 pm when he collided with Noach Klein, who was walking across 18th Avenue near 49th Street. Despite having the right-of-way, both men were outside the designated crosswalk. Miraculously, Klein crossed the street before being struck.
However, fate had other plans for Klein and a second victim, identified as a 54-year-old man. Both of them suffered severe injuries, forcing their immediate hospitalization at Maimonides Medical Center. Unfortunately, Klein succumbed to his wounds at the medical facility, leaving behind an untimely death that has shaken the community.
According to police reports, Ramirez remained on the scene and was arrested hours later for driving without a valid license. Further investigations revealed that he had been operating the vehicle in New York State without being registered or insured.
Ramirez's whereabouts were unclear, but it is known that he resides in Midwood. Unfortunately, his lawyer's contact information was not readily available.
Klein, an 84-year-old resident of South Williamsburg, had a storied past as the owner of a local silver shop just steps from the intersection where the incident occurred. A distraught family member answered the phone on Thursday but declined to comment due to emotional turmoil ahead of Klein's funeral.
The NYPD's collision investigation squad is still working diligently to unravel the circumstances surrounding the crash, which marks the fourth pedestrian death in the 66th Precinct this year alone, surpassing last year's total around the same time by two incidents.
. Like, come on Jose Ramirez, you're not even supposed to be behind the wheel and now you're gonna take a life? It's just so senseless 
. I mean, what's going through your head when you're driving without a license? Do you not care about anyone else on the road? The fact that he didn't have insurance or was registered is just icing on the cake 
. Four pedestrian deaths already this year in the same precinct? It's like the city is trying to send out a message: slow down and pay attention! 
. I mean, can't people just be careful when they're walking? And what's up with this guy driving without a license? It's not like he was trying to help Noach Klein or anything 
. I feel for the victim's family and all, but it's also on the other person to make sure their own life is in order before getting behind the wheel 
.
just heard about that tragic accident in Borough Park and it's just heartbreaking 
. And to think, the driver was licenseless 
, no worries about him, but what about the lives of others on the road? It's just not right 
. The 66th precinct needs to do more to prevent these accidents from happening in the first place 
. My thoughts are with Noach Klein's family and loved ones 
.
. But here's the thing, I'm trying not to be too down about it - maybe this is an opportunity for us to re-think our streets and make 'em safer for everyone? Like, we could install some better crosswalks or something 
.
. But you know what? I don't think we should be too hard on him - maybe he's just having a tough time and needs a little help getting back on track 
. We've all been there, right?
. And maybe, just maybe, we can turn this tragedy into something positive - like, a chance for us to come together as a community and make some real change 
.
The NYPD needs to step up their game here, especially since there have been 4 pedestrian deaths in the same precinct already this year... someone's gotta take responsibility for these reckless drivers! 
I'm so sad for Noach Klein's family, he was a silver shop owner & had so much life left 
. And the fact that the van driver didn't have insurance or registration is just insane! 
The NYPD needs to get to the bottom of this ASAP! 
... but it's just another example of how cars can be so deadly on our streets. We need more safety measures in place and people need to take responsibility for their actions behind the wheel 
I'm literally shook by this news 
We need to look into why licenses aren't being enforced properly and how we can improve those systems so this doesn't keep happening. The charts are screaming for answers - do we see a correlation between unlicensed drivers and pedestrian deaths? 
And about half of them are over 65... it's only logical to take extra precautions. We need to rethink our infrastructure and make sure there are more cameras, sensors, and safety measures in place.
... anyway, my heart goes out to noach's loved ones 
. I'm still trying to process how some people can be so reckless behind the wheel 
. We need more awareness about pedestrian safety, especially in areas like Borough Park where it already feels like a war zone on wheels 
.
I hope Ramirez gets some serious charges for this and maybe a court date to think about what he did. 
. We gotta do better, enforce those laws and make sure our streets are safe for everyone, especially seniors who can't be too careful out there 
. Licenseless and uninsured, just cruising around Brooklyn like it's no big deal. The thought of that 84-year-old man, Noach Klein, losing his life in such a senseless accident is heartbreaking