A Sunday evening gathering at a Brooklyn park turned into chaos when a three-wheeled motorcycle plowed into a crowd of bystanders. Thirteen people were hurt, four critically, in what witnesses describe as a sudden and terrifying scene. Incidents like this raise real questions about licensing, vehicle control, and what injured victims can do next.
What Happened at Commodore Barry Park
Just before 7 p.m., a 53-year-old woman driving a three-wheeled motorcycle lost control near tables and gathered guests inside Commodore Barry Park in Fort Greene. She and a passenger were riding the vehicle when it veered off course and struck the crowd, knocking over furniture and people in its path.
The driver, identified by police as Nisha Atkinson, was taken into custody. She now faces multiple charges, including reckless endangerment, reckless driving, failure to yield, and operating the vehicle without a proper license.
Witnesses say the motorcycle wasn’t traveling at a high rate of speed. One attendee described the panic that followed, saying people initially believed there had been a shooting before realizing a vehicle had struck the crowd. Another witness suggested the bike may have simply been too large for the driver to manage once it caught the edge of a chair.
Why Licensing Matters in This Case
New York treats three-wheeled motorcycles under specific licensing rules. Depending on the vehicle’s design, operators need either a valid motorcycle license or, for certain autocycle-style models, a standard driver’s license. According to the New York State DMV, riders must also wear DOT-compliant helmets and eye protection while operating these vehicles. Police say Atkinson didn’t hold the proper license for the vehicle she was driving, a detail that could carry weight in any civil claim that follows.
What Injured Victims Should Consider
When a Brooklyn motorcycle accident happens in a public space like a park, the injuries can be just as severe as those from a roadway collision, sometimes worse, given how little protection bystanders have. Victims in situations like this often need to think through several issues:
- Whether the driver was properly licensed for the vehicle involved
- Whether the vehicle was mechanically sound and legally registered
- What role, if any, event organizers or property conditions played
- How injuries will affect work, recovery time, and long-term care
Each of these factors can shape how a claim comes together and who may share responsibility.
Moving Forward After a Public Space Injury
Getting hurt in a place where you expected to be safe, like a neighborhood park, is disorienting. Between medical bills, lost income, and the shock of what happened, it’s a lot to process at once. At The Edelsteins, Faegenburg & Blyakher LLP, we’ve represented injured New Yorkers in cases involving reckless drivers and improperly licensed vehicles.
If you or someone you love was hurt in this incident or another Brooklyn motorcycle accident, our Brooklyn, NY motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand your options and what steps make sense from here.