A 17-year-old e-bike rider was killed Wednesday morning after colliding with an SUV near the end of the Brooklyn Bridge bike path in Lower Manhattan, according to the New York Police Department.
The victim, identified as Gabriel Nacato, suffered fatal head injuries in the crash, which occurred shortly before 9 a.m. near the intersection of Centre Street and Chambers Street.
Crash Happened After Teen Exited Brooklyn Bridge Bike Lane
According to police, Nacato had just exited the Brooklyn Bridge bike lane and was traveling northbound on Centre Street when the collision occurred.
Investigators said the teenager and a black Chevrolet Tahoe, driven by a 40-year-old man, were both heading northbound at the time of the crash.
Police said the e-bike rider collided with the SUV, causing him to lose control of the bike.
The exact circumstances leading up to the collision remain under investigation.
Teen Pronounced Dead at the Scene
Emergency responders arrived after the crash and found the teenager with severe head injuries.
Despite rescue efforts, Nacato was pronounced dead at the scene.
The SUV driver remained at the location and cooperated with investigators.
As of the latest available information, no arrests have been made.
Mayor Expresses Condolences
Following the fatal crash, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani extended condolences to the victim’s family.
“My thoughts are with the family of that teenager,” the mayor said. “The family will have to live with that tragedy hovering over their lives.”
Mamdani also said his administration is continuing to focus on improving transportation infrastructure to make city streets safer for everyone, regardless of whether they travel by bicycle, e-bike, scooter, or motor vehicle.
Officials Raise Concerns About Illegal High-Speed E-Bikes
Following the crash, transportation safety advocates renewed calls for stricter enforcement against the sale of illegal high-speed electric bikes.
Officials involved in the discussion said the e-bike involved in the crash was considered illegal under current city regulations.
The fatal collision comes just weeks after another deadly crash involving an illegal electric scooter on the Queensboro Bridge, adding to concerns about high-speed electric vehicles operating on city streets.
Transportation Advocates Call for Action
Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives, urged state and city officials to take action to prevent minors from purchasing illegal high-speed vehicles.
Furnas said a high school student should not be able to purchase what he described as an illegal motorcycle, arguing that stronger enforcement is needed to stop the sale of such devices and improve public safety.
He also called on the New York Attorney General and the New York City Council to adopt measures aimed at ending the sale of illegal high-speed electric vehicles.
Investigation Ongoing
The NYPD Highway Collision Investigation Squad is leading the investigation into the fatal crash.
Authorities have not announced whether speed, traffic conditions, roadway design, or any other factors contributed to the collision.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue gathering evidence to determine exactly how the crash occurred.
