New York, US: An NYPD officer was seriously injured late Sunday night after being struck by a hit-and-run driver while directing traffic near a construction zone in Brooklyn. The incident has prompted renewed calls for increased safety measures to protect law enforcement and road workers.
At approximately 11:45 PM, Officer Maria Delgado, a five-year veteran of the NYPD’s 72nd Precinct, was stationed at the corner of Flatbush Avenue and Atlantic Avenue. She was guiding vehicles around a lane closure associated with subway station upgrades when a dark-colored sedan veered into the construction buffer zone, sending Delgado sprawling onto the pavement.
Fellow officers and bystanders rushed to Delgado’s aid. Paramedics from the FDNY arrived within minutes and transported her to Kings County Hospital Center, where she was admitted with multiple fractures and a head injury. Hospital officials have described her condition as stable but serious; she remains under observation and is expected to require surgery.
Witnesses report that the driver did not brake or attempt to assist. Instead, the vehicle sped north on Flatbush Avenue, disappearing into heavy traffic. Detective squads from the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad are reviewing nearby surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses in hopes of identifying the suspect and the vehicle involved.
“This was a reckless and callous act against someone who was simply doing her job to keep Brooklyn streets safe,” said Police Commissioner Angela Roberts. “We will pursue this individual with every available resource until they are brought to justice.” Mayor Julian Carter echoed those sentiments, pledging additional lighting and enhanced reflective signage at high-risk traffic posts across the city.
Community leaders and local elected officials have also voiced their support for Delgado and her family. Councilmember Denise Park, whose district includes Flatbush Avenue, announced a proposed legislative package to increase penalties for drivers who flee collisions involving emergency personnel and road workers.
Nationally, hit-and-run incidents have been on the rise. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that over 700,000 hit-and-runs occurred in the United States last year, with a significant portion involving vulnerable road users. In New York City alone, NYPD data shows a 12% increase in hit-and-run crashes over the past two years.
Officer Delgado joined the force in 2020 and was recently honored for her community outreach work in Prospect Heights. Colleagues describe her as dedicated and compassionate, often volunteering at youth safety workshops and neighborhood traffic safety campaigns.
“This is a shocking reminder of the dangers our officers face every day,” said Sergeant Malik Thompson, Delgado’s supervisor. “We ask the public to stay alert, slow down in work zones, and always remain in the right lane or follow posted detours.”
Residents who may have witnessed the incident or captured video footage are urged to contact the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad. A reward of up to $5,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the hit-and-run driver.
As Brooklyn watches and waits for Officer Delgado’s recovery, the community—and the city at large—are once again reminded of the risks carried by those who safeguard New York’s streets. The NYPD has vowed to redouble patrols in construction zones and increase collaboration with the Department of Transportation to minimize future incidents.
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