Cherry Cayetano Sobel Killed in Midwood Pedestrian Accident - Investigation Underway
Brooklyn resident fatally struck by ambulance, police say. Investigation is ongoing.
Cherry Cayetano Sobel, 44, of Brooklyn, was killed when an ambulance struck her in the Midwood section of Brooklyn early Thursday morning, police said.
The Maimonides Medical Center ambulance was making a left turn from Avenue O onto Ocean Avenue when it hit Cayetano Sobel. The driver, 42, did not stop after the collision.
Cayetano Sobel was taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead from her injuries. Detectives believe that the driver likely did not realize the vehicle had hit a person.
Maimonides Medical Center identified and suspended the driver, pending the outcome of the investigation. No charges have been filed yet.
When commercial vehicles are involved in fatal pedestrian accidents like this one in Midwood, investigations often involve complex layers of liability. Attorney Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal, noted that "Investigators will carefully examine all aspects of this incident, including the ambulance's maintenance records, the driver's training and hours of service, and whether any traffic laws were violated." This data can be important in determining the sequence of events and a driver's actions leading up to a collision.
Investigators will carefully examine all aspects of this incident, including the ambulance's maintenance records, the driver's training and hours of service, and whether any traffic laws were violated. Traffic safety analysts note that intersection design often plays a critical role in pedestrian accidents. Attorney Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "Pedestrian accidents are often tragic and result in severe injuries or fatalities. We see these tragedies occur when a driver is negligent or reckless." The stretch of Avenue O and Ocean Avenue where Cherry Cayetano Sobel was struck will be thoroughly analyzed for visibility, lighting, and pedestrian crossing infrastructure.
The unexpected death of Cherry Cayetano Sobel has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the Midwood community. Incidents involving essential service vehicles like ambulances, even when accidental, highlight the constant vigilance required on city streets. The NYPD investigation will seek to provide answers to Sobel's family and the community regarding the circumstances that led to this tragic loss of life.
Under N.Y. EPTL § 5-4.1, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. New York applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of parental guidance, funeral expenses, and the decedent's conscious pain and suffering.