Ambulance struck her while making left turn from Avenue O in Midwood
April 02, 2026 | Midwood, NY
A 44-year-old woman lost her life after being struck by an ambulance in the Midwood neighborhood.
What Happened in the Crash?
Cherry Cayetano Sobel, 44, died after being struck by an ambulance turning from Avenue O onto Ocean Avenue in Brooklyn.
Authorities from the New York Police Department reported that Cherry Cayetano Sobel was hit by a Maimonides Medical Center ambulance turning left from Avenue O onto Ocean Avenue. The incident occurred on a Thursday afternoon. The driver continued after the collision, unaware of the crash. Sobel received transport to Maimonides Medical Center, where medical staff pronounced her deceased.
- Victim: Cherry Cayetano Sobel, 44
- Location: Avenue O and Ocean Avenue, Midwood, Brooklyn
- Vehicle Involved: Maimonides Medical Center ambulance
- Date: April 2
- Outcome: Fatal pedestrian injury, driver identified and suspended
Investigators suspect the operator did not notice the pedestrian during the turn. Maimonides Medical Center has suspended the driver while the investigation continues. No arrests or charges are reported yet.
Why Do Ambulance Accidents Occur?
Ambulance responses demand speed, yet safety remains critical on busy streets. Common contributors include excessive velocity, operator exhaustion, limited training, and improper use of lights or sirens.
According to data from the Federal Highway Administration, ambulances are involved in approximately 6,500 crashes annually nationwide, with about 34% leading to injuries or deaths.
Factor |
Description |
Contribution to Accidents |
|---|
Speeding |
Exceeding limits during non-emergency maneuvers |
High – Increases stopping distance |
Driver Fatigue |
Long shifts without adequate rest |
Medium – Impairs reaction time |
Inexperience |
New operators unfamiliar with routes |
Medium – Leads to navigation errors |
Failure to Signal Emergency |
Lights/sirens not activated properly |
High – Reduces right-of-way awareness |
Distracted Driving |
Attention is diverted from the road |
Low to Medium – Common in urban areas |
Source: Federal Highway Administration and CDC reports on emergency vehicle safety.
Legal Insights
In motor vehicle incidents involving emergency vehicles, a thorough examination is essential to determine liability and preserve evidence.
“Beyond official inquiries, retaining legal counsel allows for re-interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage, and securing communication records from involved parties,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, and a national analyst for Newsline. “Prompt action ensures critical details are not lost in cases such as this.”
Key takeaways from such investigations:
- Independent reviews can uncover overlooked factors in police reports.
- Families benefit from professional analysis of crash dynamics.
- Evidence collection must occur swiftly to support potential claims.
For wrongful death scenarios, relatives may pursue compensation covering loss of companionship, emotional trauma, and related hardships.
“Navigating these tragedies requires protecting familial rights through ongoing monitoring of investigations,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “Pursuing remedies for companionship loss and distress is a key step following catastrophic crashes.”
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Candice Bond, national legal analyst for Newsline, has extensive experience with fatal pedestrian accidents. If you or a loved one needs help, she offers free consultations.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).