A three-wheeled motorcycle crashed into a crowd inside Commodore Barry Park in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, injuring 12 people and turning a community gathering into a chaotic emergency scene.
The crash happened on Sunday evening, shortly before 6:40 p.m., near Flushing Avenue and Navy Street. Police said a 53-year-old woman, identified as Neisha Atkinson, failed to navigate the roadway, entered the park, and struck pedestrians who were gathered inside.
According to officials, the victims included seven men and five women between the ages of 36 and 73. Early reports said four of the injured were in critical condition, while the remaining victims were stable. Later reporting said the injuries were not considered life-threatening, but several people required hospital treatment after the crash.
Witnesses described a frightening scene as the three-wheeled vehicle suddenly moved into an area where people had been dancing, eating, and attending a community celebration. One witness compared the impact to a bowling ball knocking people down, while others said bystanders rushed to help the injured before emergency crews arrived.
Video from the scene showed emergency workers treating victims on the ground, while debris and damaged chairs were visible near the motorcycle. Some witnesses said the crash happened so quickly that people had little time to react before the vehicle entered the crowd.
Atkinson was also injured and taken to the hospital. Police later charged her with reckless endangerment, reckless driving, failure to yield to pedestrians, and improper licensing. She remained hospitalized and had not yet made her first court appearance as investigators continued reviewing the incident.
The crash has raised serious questions about how a motor vehicle was able to enter a crowded park space and whether additional barriers or safety controls are needed during large community events. Commodore Barry Park is a busy public space in Brooklyn, and the incident has left residents shaken by how quickly a normal evening gathering became a mass-casualty scene.
Police are still investigating what caused Atkinson to lose control of the vehicle. Authorities are expected to review witness accounts, video footage, the driver’s licensing status, and the condition of the three-wheeled motorcycle before determining whether additional charges or safety recommendations will follow.
For the victims and their families, the crash is a painful reminder that crowded public spaces can become dangerous when vehicles enter pedestrian areas. For city officials, it may become another urgent case in the broader debate over park safety, event security, and stronger protections for people gathered in public spaces.
