A 35-year-old woman from Brooklyn was reportedly walking just a block and a half away from her home when a driver struck her and fled the scene. The woman  later died of her injuries  while under close supervision at Brookdale University Hospital, according to law enforcement authorities.

The woman was walking across the street at E. 108th  St., close to Glenwood Road at around 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21. She was hit by a tan SUV, according to witnesses of the accident. The driver of that SUV never stopped to see if the woman was injured and police are still looking for the suspect.

Pedestrian safety improving overall

This incident is a black mark on what has otherwise been a relatively safe year for pedestrians in New York City. Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero Initiative appears to be somewhat successful in increasing safety throughout the city to eliminate traffic deaths across all five boroughs.

Police did not initially reveal any information on what caused this particular accident. However, all drivers have a responsibility to stay at accident scenes to identify themselves, call the police and help anyone who has been injured. Hit-and-runs causing death or injury are felonies in New York, and people who are convicted of these charges could face major fines or prison time.

Drivers are also responsible for noticing and avoiding pedestrians as they cross the road. People on foot always have the right-of-way at crosswalks, but even if a pedestrian is not at a crosswalk, drivers may still be liable in a collision if they had a reasonable amount of time to brake or avoid the accident.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a  pedestrian or car accident, contact the skilled Brooklyn personal injury attorneys at Rubenstein & Rynecki  online  or at (718) 522-1020.