A tragic accident in Brooklyn has left an elderly pedestrian dead and a city Department of Transportation truck driver visibly distraught. The driver, who has not been identified, was seen in a video at the scene of the accident, wearing a bright yellow vest and appearing inconsolable. The victim of the accident has been identified as 86-year-old Antonio Conigliaro.
The incident occurred last week when the driver allegedly struck Conigliaro, resulting in his decapitation. The video footage of the scene showed the victim’s head several yards away from his body, which lay in the crosswalk. Witnesses at the scene attempted to comfort the driver in the aftermath of the horrific accident.
Conigliaro was a resident of Bay Ridge, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, and lived just a few minutes’ walk from where the accident occurred. The intersection where the accident took place is reportedly known for being dangerous, particularly for pedestrians.
A woman at the scene can be heard in the video saying, “Oh my God, this is a bad day.” She added that the driver was turning onto Dahlgren Place when the accident happened. The intersection’s walk sign was also called into question, with some suggesting it may not provide enough time for slower pedestrians to cross safely.
Bay Ridge resident Samia Haq expressed her concerns about the intersection to News 12 last week. “Especially the walk sign. It turns on but by the time you’re in the middle of the road, then it’s gone. Somebody who is disabled or somebody who cannot walk fast — it’s really really dangerous for them,” Haq said.
The New York Police Department has confirmed that the investigation into the accident is ongoing. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.