Construction worker struck and killed by oncoming van

BROOKLYN, NY – A driver accused of fatally hitting a construction worker in Bedford-Stuyvesant is facing several serious charges. Clyde Mercury, 36, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving, along with failure to exercise due care. He is expected to stand before a judge in Brooklyn on Wednesday.

Authorities reported the incident happened as the 37-year-old victim was working on Myrtle Avenue near Walworth and Sandford streets around 2 p.m. on Tuesday. A surveillance video, which captured the tragic event, shows a white Ford Transit van speeding through an intersection and striking the worker, potentially pinning him against another vehicle.

The victim was wearing a high-visibility safety vest and was directing traffic with a flag to warn drivers around a construction area. Despite the quick response of emergency medical services, the construction worker couldn’t be revived and was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to Woodhull Medical Center.

Eyewitness accounts claim the van was traveling at an unsafe speed while attempting to overtake a truck without ample space or right of way. Witness Michael Matson recounted the terrifying event, describing how the vehicle’s side mirror lifted the worker before he was trapped between vehicles, leading to his fatal injuries.

The community is shaken as the investigation continues, with concerns about pedestrian and worker safety rising. Authorities are working to gather all possible evidence and witness testimonies to get a clearer picture of the circumstances that led to the incident.

Residents and workers in the area have expressed worries about frequent reckless driving and are urging local leaders to implement measures to protect those working on or near busy roads.

Efforts to address traffic safety near construction zones have been highlighted once again by this tragic accident. Advocates are calling for stricter enforcement of traffic laws and greater awareness for driver responsibility in construction areas.

The investigation into the case is ongoing, as officials seek to understand the factors that contributed to this fatality and prevent future occurrences.