Matthew Van Ohlen's Hit-and-Run Driver Finally Arrested, 4 Months After Deadly Brooklyn Crash: Police

EAST WILLIAMSBURG, BROOKLYN — More than four months after the brutal hit and run of 35-year-old bicyclist Matthew Von Ohlen in East Williamsburg, police arrested Brooklyn man Juan Maldonado, 56, at his home on Tuesday, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed to Patch.

Ohlen was an avid bicyclist who bartended at an upscale bar in Manhattan's Chinatown neighborhood called Apotheke. He was a self-proclaimed "people person" whom his friends and acquaintances describe as "sweet and funny," and "upbeat and positive."

Maldonado, who was arraigned Tuesday, faces charges of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and leaving the scene of an accident, among other charges. He could face up to 15 years in jail, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney's office. His bail was set at $100,000.

"A young man who was an active member of Brooklyn’s biking community lost his life because a speeding driver struck him in a designated bike lane and sped away," Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalezsaid in a statement. "This was not an accident, but rather a reckless act for which we intend to hold this defendant accountable."

"The fact of the arrest doesn't change the sense of loss and the grieving, but hopefully it's a step in the direction of justice for Matthew, so that's encouraging," Von Ohlen's father, Bernt Von Ohlen, told DNAInfo Tuesday.

"After waiting several months since Matthew von Ohlen was struck and killed in a heinous hit-and-run, we are relieved to see that the case is proceeding to the next step with this indictment," Paul Steely White of bicyclist advocate organization Transportation Alternatives said in a statement. "It is also a positive sign that the District Attorney's office is addressing the role of speeding, which remains the leading cause of traffic deaths across the five boroughs two years after the City adopted a safer 25 mph speed limit. The driver's deadly violation of Matthew von Ohlen's right of way in a designated bike lane is also indicative of a problem that is all too common and can no longer be tolerated."

Brooklyn detectives released photos of the Chevy to the media back in July, in hopes someone would recognize the vehicle and lead police to the suspect. Months later, they had still had no luck.

Von Ohlen was biking on Grand Street between Manhattan and Graham avenues at around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Jul. 2, when a driver in a black Chevy Camaro sedan with tinted windows struck and killed him, police said.

Surveillance footage shows the Chevy hit Von Ohlen from behind and continue to drive eastbound on Grand without stopping.

Police sources told Pix11 soon after the incident that it appeared the driver might have hit Von Ohlen intentionally.

Maldonado, whose arraignment is set for Tuesday afternoon, will face manslaughter charges, the NYPD said.

This is a developing story. Refresh the page for updates.

Photo credit: NYPD, Facebook