Full Breakdown
Brooklyn Nurse Killed in Hit-and-Run Sparks Renewed Calls for Third Avenue Safety Overhaul
8/31/2026, 9:13:38 PM
The Fatal Collision
On a Saturday morning in Sunset Park, 28-year-old Jiayi Zheng was crossing the marked crosswalk at 55th Street and Third Avenue when a southbound 2014 Cadillac sedan struck her and fled the scene. Police video shows the vehicle speeding through the intersection without slowing. Zheng suffered severe head and body trauma and was rushed to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, where she later died. The driver remains unidentified and no arrests have been made.
Prior Incidents and Safety Concerns
The crash occurred on a two-mile stretch of Third Avenue that runs beneath the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, a corridor long flagged for pedestrian danger. In 2020, another NYU Langone nurse, Clara Kang, was killed nearby while biking home from an overnight shift. Advocacy group Transportation Alternatives notes that the same stretch has been the site of multiple fatal crashes over the years. A redesign of the corridor was proposed by the New York City Department of Transportation in 2023, but the plan has not yet been implemented.
Fatalities on the Third Avenue Corridor
- 11 deaths involving pedestrians or cyclists on this two-mile segment since 2014, according to Transportation Alternatives.
- Nine hit-and-run fatalities citywide in the last two weeks, as reported by local officials.
These figures underscore the corridor’s reputation as one of Brooklyn’s most hazardous roadways for foot traffic.
Official Responses
NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn issued a statement expressing deep sorrow for Zheng and emphasizing the vital role of its nursing staff. State Senator Andrew Gounardes confirmed Zheng’s identity, described the driver as speeding and running a red light, and urged the public to keep her family in prayers. The NYPD continues to review surveillance footage and has appealed for information from the community, but the investigation remains open.
Advocacy and Calls for Action
Transportation Alternatives, led by Executive Director Ben Furnas, labeled Zheng’s death “heartbreaking and outrageous.” The organization also highlighted a recent surge in hit-and-run incidents, calling for broader traffic-safety measures across New York City.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our nurses play an essential role in caring for others with compassion and dedication, and this loss is being felt across our entire community.” — Foram Ravil
- “She was amazing. I will miss her so much,” — Foram Ravil
- “New York City streets should be the envy of the world, but we are the envy of no one today,” — Ben Furnas, their executive director
- “The victim, a nurse coming off the night shift, has passed from her injuries. Please keep her in your prayers,” — State Sen. Andrew Gounardes
- “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jiayi Zheng, a nurse at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn. This is a tragic loss, and we extend our sincere condolences to her family, loved ones, and colleagues. Our nurses play an essential role in caring for others with compassion and dedication, and this loss is being felt across our entire community.” — Transportation Alternatives, executive director
What’s Next
Police have not yet identified the driver, and the search continues. City officials have not announced a timeline for implementing the proposed Third Avenue redesign, but advocacy groups say immediate action is needed to prevent further tragedies on the corridor.
