Brooklyn, NY (October 5, 2026) – A three-car hit-and-run on Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn left a 62-year-old man dead and a passenger critically injured early on October 5, according to police.
The crash happened around 12:10 a.m. at Ocean Parkway and Avenue S in the Midwood section. Investigators said a southbound Audi A5 slammed into the rear of a 2023 Toyota Camry, causing the Camry to spin out and strike a 2021 Toyota RAV4, according to police. Both the Audi and the Camry then crashed into trees.
The 62-year-old Camry driver was taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. A 39-year-old rear-seat passenger suffered critical neck and back injuries and was rushed to the hospital. The 25-year-old driver of the RAV4 sustained minor injuries, according to police.
Both the Camry and the RAV4 were TLC-licensed vehicles, according to police. Video from the scene showed the Audi with its airbags deployed and the front ends of the Camry and RAV4 destroyed.
Investigators said the driver of the Audi abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene, taking the car’s license plates. Witnesses reported that multiple people may have been inside the Audi before the driver left in another vehicle, according to police. The driver remains at large. No arrests have been made.
Both directions of Ocean Parkway were closed for most of the morning while investigators processed the scene.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
Your Legal Questions After a Hit-and-Run Crash in Brooklyn, NY
Who can be held responsible when the driver flees the scene?
The fleeing driver is liable for the crash. When that driver is found, their liability insurer covers the claim. When the driver is never identified, the victims and their families can pursue an uninsured motorist claim through their own auto insurance policy.
What if the driver who hit me is never found?
New York’s uninsured motorist coverage applies even when the at-fault driver is never identified. A police report documenting the hit-and-run is required to open that claim. The coverage pays for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering up to the policy limits.
Can the family file a claim after a fatal hit-and-run crash?
Yes. New York’s wrongful death statute (EPTL § 5-4.1) lets the personal representative of the estate file on behalf of the family. The claim covers lost financial support, funeral expenses, loss of parental guidance, and the pain and suffering the victim experienced before death through a separate survival action.
Can a passenger in the Camry or the RAV4 file a claim?
Yes. A passenger can file against every liable party, including the fleeing driver’s insurer, the TLC vehicle’s commercial policy, and their own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Passengers are almost never assigned fault in a rear-end chain-reaction crash.
How long do I have to file a claim in New York?
New York gives you three years from the crash to file a personal injury claim (CPLR § 214). This crash occurred on October 5, 2026, which puts that deadline at October 5, 2029. A wrongful death claim must be filed within two years of the date of death (EPTL § 5-4.1), making that deadline October 5, 2028. The no-fault application is due within 30 days, by November 4, 2026.
Speak With a Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyer at Frekhtman & Associates
Frekhtman & Associates has served Brooklyn families from its office at 60 Bay 26th St for more than 25 years. The firm handles car accident claims across every Brooklyn neighborhood, from Midwood and Gravesend to Bay Ridge and Flatbush, and has recovered more than $900 million for injured New Yorkers throughout that time.
After a fatal hit-and-run on a Brooklyn roadway, identifying the fleeing driver is the first step. Our Brooklyn car accident lawyer team works with investigators to secure traffic camera footage, locate witnesses, and trace the vehicle before evidence disappears. When the driver is not found, we pursue the full value of the uninsured motorist claim so the family is not left without recourse.
Founding attorney Arkady Frekhtman, rated 9.8 out of 10 on Avvo and named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, has tried car accident cases in Kings County Supreme Court and across the city. The firm’s $69,225,000 auto accident jury verdict remains one of the largest in New York State history.
Brooklyn families who lost someone in a hit-and-run on Ocean Parkway need a firm that has already handled the toughest car accident claims in Kings County. Here is what Frekhtman & Associates brings:
- $900M+ recovered for injured New York clients across more than 25 years of practice
- $69,225,000 auto accident jury verdict, one of the largest in New York State history
- Free 24/7 consultations, including home and hospital visits for clients unable to travel
- Personal callbacks from founding attorney Arkady Frekhtman
- Russian-language services available
- Zero fees unless we win your case
- Brooklyn office at 60 Bay 26th St, serving families across the borough
Our Brooklyn office at 60 Bay 26th St is a short drive from Midwood and Gravesend. Call 866-821-0718, come by in person, or reach us through our contact form and we will call you back.
