A city police officer lost part of his leg Tuesday after two vehicles slammed into each other in Brooklyn.
Investigators say the vehicles were traveling in opposite directions on Avenue U in Marine Park when it happened.
According to police, a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer was traveling eastbound when it made a left turn onto East 34th Street and hit a 2008 Mazda CX7. Both vehicles then jumped the curb, forcing one to hit the plainclothes officer, who was standing with three others on the sidewalk.
The officer was taken to Kings County Hospital, where his left leg was amputated below the knee.
Residents say the intersection is known to be dangerous.
“They’ve had a lot, a lot of accidents here in the past 18 years,” said one local. “I’ve always thought that they should have a traffic light because they try to, because of the park, I think they just run through to get to the next light, which is on 36th Street.”
The officer is a five and a half year veteran and a member of the narcotics division.
Lefts in general on Avenue U are extremely dangerous, more dangerous in Marine Park because everyone is doing 50mph and if someone goes to make a left they cant judge.
As much as I believe that Marine Park is being over saturated with traffic lights and four way stops signs, this is an intersection that would do well with a short light with a left turn phase.
What an unneccessary tragedy! My thoughts and prayers are with the officer and his family.
Very sad.
I’ve been an officer for over 13 years and can tell you I’m more concerned when I take accidents then I am going to a man with a gun situation. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve seen so many terrible pedestrian accidents, that I’d rather take the bullet. Just me though
This is very unfortunate and yes, unnecessary. Many cars speed down our streets and there are always bad accidents. I live on a small one way block and get so annoyed every time someone speeds through the block. I feel very bad for the police officer and his family.