Gerardo Ahuatl Killed in Moped Accident on Grand Street in Williamsburg, NY
Williamsburg, NY — December 28, 2023, 45-year-old Gerardo Ahuatl died in a collision with a commercial truck on Grand Street in Williamsburg.
Authorities say the incident happened around 5:55 a.m. along Grand Street at Graham Avenue. Preliminary investigation suggests Ahuatl was riding a moped near a Ford pickup on Grand when he allegedly "lost control and was ejected," then was hit by the truck as it turned toward Graham.
Ahuatl was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later. The truck's 28-year-old driver was unhurt and police did not charge him.
The investigation continues. No further information about the crash is currently available.
After preliminary investigation police language seems to blame the victim for essentially falling off his moped into the turning truck's path. While I don't have specific information that makes me argue with that, I would remind people--as I have many times before--that preliminary findings aren't necessarily the gospel truth of the matter. More digging often turns up extenuating circumstances that could have played parts as well, and this wreck is no different.
For instance, it was also pointed out that the truck on Grand--a company vehicle used by multiple employees--was involved in something like 30 traffic violations since 2017. That doesn't mean the driver on Grand did anything wrong that night, but knowing there's an apparent pattern of recklessness amongst the truck's regular drivers makes me wonder if appropriate care was taken in making his turn.
Furthermore, that stretch of Grand Street is seemingly infamous for traffic-related injuries and deaths that the city has taken only limited steps to remedy. If it's particularly dangerous or designed in a way that could have contributed to the wreck, maybe that's something to account for as well during a more comprehensive investigation.
Am I saying it's impossible the victim simply made a mistake of some kind? No, but I am saying it's much too early to point fingers or reach conclusions. A man lost his life and his family deserves to know every effort was made to get to the bottom of why. If police investigators are already saying he just fell off his moped, could crucial details slip away unnoticed?
