Brooklyn was shaken Wednesday evening when the Williamsburg and Borough Park communities lost one of their own. At around 6:30 p.m., 84-year-old Noach Klein and a 54-year-old man were attempting to cross 18th Avenue near 49th Street when a 2018 Ford Transit van struck them. Klein, a longtime Williamsburg resident and local businessman, was rushed to Maimonides Medical Center but was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. The other pedestrian, though injured, is expected to recover.
Authorities say the van’s driver, a 38-year-old man, remained on the scene and cooperated fully with investigators. No citations or arrests have been made so far. Preliminary findings indicate neither speeding nor impairment appear to have been obvious factors; investigators are now examining lighting, visibility, and road conditions at the time.
The incident occurred just after dusk in a dense residential area, where pedestrian traffic is heavy and intersection safety has long been a concern. Despite not crossing in a marked crosswalk, the two men reportedly had the red light in their favor when struck. Locals have repeatedly warned that this stretch of 18th Avenue is treacherous for walkers—especially the elderly—citing fast-moving vehicles, poor lighting, and limited crossing infrastructure.
Among those remembering Klein, many speak of a warm and humble man who devoted himself to the neighborhood. According to ABC7, he operated the long-standing business Unique Sterling for nearly five decades—first on 13th Avenue before relocating to 18th Avenue. For generations, Klein was more than a shopkeeper; he was regarded as a stable, friendly presence in the life of district residents.
As grief ripples through Williamsburg and Borough Park, many see in this tragedy a pressing call to action. Safety advocates are renewing demands for crosswalk upgrades, slower speed limits, and better lighting—all tools aligned with New York City’s Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
Now, police ask anyone who witnessed the crash—or who may have surveillance or doorbell footage from nearby—to step forward and contact Crime Stoppers or the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad. As the community absorbs this profound loss, they also await answers—and hope that measures will follow to prevent future heartbreaks.
