Cyclist Killed In South Slope Was Immigrant Delivery Boy: Reports

SOUTH SLOPE, BROOKLYN — The teenage boy who was killed riding his bike through the South Slope over the weekend was an immigrant who was working a delivery job to send money to his parents, according to multiple reports.

Edwin Ajacalon, 14, was riding his bicycle east on 23rd Street on Saturday around 5:45 p.m., when and was struck by a BMW that was headed south on Fifth Avenue, police said. He was pronounced dead at Methodist Hospital.

Ajacalon came to the United States by himself from Guatemala, hoping to send money back to his parents and see them again, the boy's uncle told the New York Daily News.

"He was new here. He only came a year ago," Estuardo Vicente told the paper. "But he wanted to help his parents. He sent them money whenever he could."

The boy lived in a Sunset Park apartment with five men, according to WCBS.

"He’s got no family in this country," Diana Popoca, who told the station her son was friends with the boy.

Surveillance footage from a nearby restaurant shown to the two news outlets captured the moment of impact. Pieces of his clothing and his damaged bicycle were left behind in the street, according to the Daily News.

The driver remained on the scene and was taken to Methodist Hospital for evaluation. He was not immediately charged, but the News, citing police sources, said charges were likely.

At a vigil near the crash site, officials gathered to mourn the loss.

Read more from WCBS here.

Image: 5th Avenue and 23rd Street, via Google Streetview