A tractor trailer struck and killed a pedestrian on Flatbush Avenue in front of the Barclays Center on Wednesday, police said.
The Downtown-bound 18-wheeler collided with the victim, who investigators said was in his 40s, as he jaywalked on the block between Fourth and Atlantic avenues at around 12:30 pm.
Emergency responders pronounced the man dead at the scene.
Witnesses said the grisly crash was hard to watch.
“He was trying to cross the street and he wasn’t looking,” said John Balse, who was working on a construction site across the street from the collision. “The truck hit him and the tires rolled on top of his head.”
The victim’s name has not been released and the truck driver stayed at the scene. An investigation into the crash is ongoing, cops said.
Onlookers who happened upon the grisly scene said Flatbush Avenue has always been a hazardous street to cross.
“You really have to be careful. It’s very scary,” said Crown Heights resident Jay James. “They need a traffic officer here –— it’s a dangerous spot.”
Reach reporter Natalie Musumeci at nmusumeci@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4505. Follow her at twitter.com/souleddout.
