Mamadou Diallo, a 40-year-old delivery worker from West Africa who came to the United States in search of a better life, was killed Thursday night in a hit-and-run crash on a rain-soaked Brooklyn street in Flatlands. According to local police and witnesses, Diallo was struck so hard by the driver of a dark-colored BMW sedan at East 54th Street and Avenue I that he was propelled into the air and into a parked car before the driver fled the scene.
Friend Recounts Shared Journey and Sudden Loss
Abdoulaye Barry, Diallo’s best friend, said he and Diallo left West Africa three years ago to make the journey to New York City together. Barry stated that Diallo earned a living using two wheels and a hunger for the American dream, which ultimately led to a deadly late-night DoorDash delivery. “My heard is broke. Its broke. My heart is broke because Mamadou is my best friend,” Barry said.
Barry also makes a living riding a delivery bike, noting that the job now feels like a gamble with his life following the death of his friend. Friends of Diallo reported that this was the second time he had been hit by a car while out delivering orders on his bike, but that the Thursday night crash was fatal.
An eyewitness named Valerie described the immediate aftermath of the collision at the Brooklyn intersection. “They came and they went over to where he was lying in the street. And then they picked him up and left,” Valerie said of the vehicle’s departure.
Rise in Cyclist Fatalities Across the City
Diallo’s death marks the third cyclist killed this week in a hit-and-run. Angelo Camera, a father of five aged 51, lost his life on Tuesday when a collision struck him as he bicycled home from employment in the Bronx. Police say the driver blew a red light. Meanwhile, a pickup truck struck 29-year-old Paulina Tec Choc on Tuesday while she remained stationary aboard her e-bike at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Cypress Hills Street.
Did You Know? Mamadou Diallo and his best friend Abdoulaye Barry left West Africa three years prior to the incident to make the journey to New York City together in pursuit of opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Mamadou Diallo?
Mamadou Diallo was killed Thursday night when he was struck by the driver of a dark-colored BMW sedan while performing a late-night DoorDash delivery in Flatlands, Brooklyn. Police stated the impact threw him into the air and into a parked car, and the driver fled the scene at East 54th Street and Avenue I.
How many cyclists were killed in similar incidents during the week?
40-year-old Diallo was the third cyclist killed this week in a hit-and-run, along with 51-year-old Angelo Camera in the Bronx and 29-year-old Paulina Tec Choc.
What do friends and colleagues say about the dangers of delivery work?
Abdoulaye Barry, who makes a living on a delivery bike, stated that right now feels like a gamble with his life after losing his friend.
How can cities better protect delivery workers navigating nighttime traffic on bicycles and e-bikes?
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