A cyclist was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Brooklyn early Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
Residents say the deadly crash highlights the need for better protections for cyclists in the city.<\/p>\n
Tesla driver sought in deadly hit-and-run<\/p>\n
It happened at around 2:30 a.m. near Meserole and Lorimer streets in Williamsburg.<\/p>\n
Police say Alexandra Huggins, 32, was riding her bike westbound on Meserole Street when the driver of a blue Tesla struck her, then fled the scene.<\/p>\n
She was taken to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead, officials say.<\/p>\n
No arrests have been made at this time.<\/p>\n
“Everyone deserves to get home safe in New York City”<\/p>\n
Some cyclists in the area say they’re not surprised by the tragedy.<\/p>\n
“I feel like that is pretty common out here. I’ve been hit by a few cars,” cyclist Jojo Santos said.<\/p>\n
“It’s a stark reminder of the risk we take just being out in the street every day,” cyclist Patrick del Valle said.<\/p>\n
Charlie Baker, a spokesperson with Transportation Alternatives \u2013 an organization that advocates for safe and equitable streets in New York City, says more needs to be done to protect cyclists.<\/p>\n
“Everyone deserves to get home safe in New York City,” he said. “What we actually need is a design change, so a physical piece of concrete that actually blocks cars and drivers, reckless drivers, from killing New Yorkers on bikes.”<\/p>\n
According to Transportation Alternatives data released to CBS News New York, 156 people have been killed in traffic crashes citywide so far this year. Fourteen of those victims were cyclists.<\/p>\n