Boy Struck Dead While Bicyling Through Brooklyn

Eight-year-old Alexander Toulouse was struck and killed by a mail truck Saturday afternoon in Downtown Brooklyn. Alexander, known as the "little professor," was biking near his Cobble Hill home with his father, Fordham University political science professor Christopher Toulouse, when a postal truck turning on Livingston Street and Boerum Place hit the boy without ever having seen him. A witness said that the driver "wasn't going real fast" and was not charged after staying on the scene following the accident. Witnesses said he appeared devastated. The NY Daily News says that Alexander had just begun third grade at P.S. 29, was a big fan of Dancing With the Stars and a fervent supporter of Barack Obama.

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By Billy Parker in News on September 7, 2008 9:28 AM

Comments [rss]

benl

they were both in the bike lane, and waited for the light to turn green before proceeding.

IvoryJive

Yeah, Boerum Place does have bike lanes. I noticed they were just striped maybe a month ago. I wish the article would mention the behavior of the cyclists - were they in the bike lane, did they have the light, etc.? But I guess that is just the instinct to want to lay blame somewhere. Won't change the fact that the little boy is gone. Very sad.

petercow99

This story makes me heartsick. But, FWIW, there are bike lanes in Boerum Hill and Cobble Hill.

The list can be found here:

http://www.nycbikemaps.com/maps/brooklyn-bike-map/

But certainly, there are not enough.

catatonina

this is heartbreaking, both for the driver and the family. i will never understand why our city government doesn't do more to ensure safety for bikers. some streets in brooklyn heights have bike lanes but then construction crews block them, causing bikers to be even more at risk when they have to swerve into traffic. cobble/boerum hill has no bike lanes that i can recall. sure bike lanes and precautions won't prevent all genuine accidents but really, how much of an investment would it be for this city??

nicemarmot

I have to admit, I grew up riding my bike everywhere but that was in the 'burbs. I would not let my child ride their bikes in Manhattan or the inner outer boroughs - i.e. Downtown Brooklyn. The drivers here just do not pay attention, and drive too fast, and kids on bikes move a lot faster than pedestrians.

Public Relations

Perhaps it is best that Very young kids only ride Bicycles in Prospect Park.

Many parents simply drive there then take the bicycle out

Of course,if someone does not have a car you sometimes have to decide if you want to risk inconveniencing mass transit riders for a few stops

benl

actually, the witness stated that the driver was "NOT going real fast." apparently he was only going 5-10 miles an hour, and just didn't see the kid. horrifying.