Awful Bicyclist Deaths Create A Lot of Sadness in Brooklyn

As you may know, two bicyclists in Brooklyn were killed in accidents within hours of each other this week. While the news media has provided basic details, Streets Blog posted the best account of the tragedy's meaning and its impact on the many people in the community that knew the cyclists that were killed. We will copy and paste a bit:

The deaths of two Brooklyn cyclists just hours apart yesterday have resulted in a homicide charge and an outpouring of grief for a man friends describe as "a truly thoughtful and selfless individual." Friends of one of the victims are also questioning the official account of his death.

City dailies report that Williamsburg resident Alfred Taylor, 41, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide for killing an as-yet-unidentified cyclist on Fulton Street in Bed Stuy around 6 a.m. Thursday. Police say Taylor was driving a speeding van when he struck the 25-year-old cyclist, whose name is being withheld pending notification of relatives.

As Streetsblog readers well know, it is virtually unheard of for a driver to face a charge of any sort after hitting a cyclist or pedestrian, as long as the driver is sober and stays at the scene. We will keep an eye on this case as it progresses.

Meanwhile, no charges were filed in the death of 26-year-old Craig Murphey, who according to police and media reports was hit by a turning gas truck just after 4 a.m. yesterday while riding southbound in the northbound lane of Union Avenue at Ten Eyck Street.

We got an email about Mr. Murphy, who was very well known in Williamsburg and was a member of Right Rides, a free volunteer service that offers rides home at night. Mr. De Paolo wrote, "His smile won you over right away. I was grateful for his efforts in the community. This is a great loss. My prayers go out to Craig’s family and friends." There are a many comments and photos posted on the Williamsboard. The photo here, sent by Mr. De Paolo, was taken a few hours before Mr. Murphy was killed.