Can the NYPD Face a Lawsuit After a 15-Year-Old Driver Injures a Pedestrian in Brooklyn?

A shocking crash in East New York has raised serious questions about liability and accountability. According to reports, a 15-year-old—far too young to drive legally—was behind the wheel of a stolen black Honda Accord when he struck a 71-year-old pedestrian standing on the curb at Pennsylvania and Hegeman Avenues.

Video footage shows the vehicle traveling the wrong way before going airborne, slamming into a utility pole, and injuring the pedestrian. The teenager fled the scene on foot just as police vehicles, which had been pursuing him, arrived. Moments later, the mangled car burst into flames. The victim was rushed to the hospital in stable condition, while the teen was later arrested and charged with grand larceny, reckless endangerment, leaving the scene of an accident, and other crimes.

Beyond the Driver: Could the Police Share Responsibility?

While the 15-year-old driver faces obvious criminal charges, injured victims and their families often wonder whether liability might extend beyond the driver. In cases where police are actively chasing a suspect, questions arise about whether the pursuit itself contributed to the crash.

Under New York law, police officers are permitted to engage in high-speed chases, but they must do so with “due regard for the safety of all persons.” If it can be shown that the pursuit was conducted in a reckless manner that directly contributed to the injuries, victims may have grounds to bring a civil claim against the police department or the City of New York.

These claims are complex and require proving that officers acted with reckless disregard, rather than mere negligence. For example:

Did officers continue a pursuit through a crowded residential area at high speed?
Were proper safety protocols ignored in the decision to chase the stolen vehicle?
Did the pursuit escalate the danger to pedestrians and bystanders, making the crash foreseeable?

Legal Options for the Victim

The injured man in this case could potentially pursue several avenues of compensation:

Claims Against the Teen Driver – Despite the criminal charges, civil claims may be filed for damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, and long-term care.
Claims Against the Vehicle Owner – If the car was stolen but left in a way that made theft foreseeable, liability might extend to the vehicle’s owner.
Claims Against the Police/City – If evidence supports that the pursuit was reckless and unnecessarily dangerous, the victim may have a right to sue the City of New York for damages.

Because lawsuits against police departments involve strict notice requirements and short deadlines under the New York General Municipal Law, it is critical that victims consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

Holding All Responsible Parties Accountable

As Brooklyn car accident lawyers, we have seen how devastating pedestrian crashes can be—especially when vulnerable victims standing on the sidewalk are struck with no warning. In this case, the teen driver may be the primary cause, but if the police pursuit itself escalated the danger, the law allows us to explore whether the City should also be held accountable.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a police chase or reckless driver, contact Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf at 212-943-1090 for a free consultation. Our trial attorneys have been representing victims in Brooklyn and across New York for more than 100 years, securing record-setting verdicts and settlements.