Federal prosecutors say a former FBI agent hit a Brooklyn pedestrian, dragged him to a bench, and drove away.
Story Snapshot
- A federal grand jury indicted former FBI Special Agent Andrew Reyes over a February 2026 crash in Brooklyn.
- Prosecutors allege Reyes drove the wrong way, ran a red light, struck a pedestrian, and moved him to a bench.
- The Justice Department says charges include a civil rights count and an alleged false statement denial.
- Hit-and-run deaths make up about 23% of pedestrian fatalities nationwide, federal data show.
Indictment Alleges Wrong-Way Driving and Pedestrian Impact
A federal grand jury charged Andrew Reyes, a former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent, in a case tied to a February 3, 2026, crash in Brooklyn. The indictment says that at about 6:20 a.m., Reyes drove north in the southbound lane on Ocean Parkway near Beverley Road, went through a red light, and struck a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Prosecutors identify the pedestrian as John Doe. They allege Reyes was driving an FBI vehicle with its emergency lights on during the collision.
The charging document describes the moments after the impact in detail. It alleges Reyes found the victim unconscious, dragged him from the street, across the sidewalk, and placed him on a bench. It further says he retrieved the victim’s bag and set it beside him, then left the scene without calling for help or reporting the crash. The Justice Department states the charges are allegations and that Reyes is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Federal Charges Add Civil Rights and False Statement Counts
Prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York charged Reyes with deprivation of constitutional rights and with making false statements. The government’s theory centers on the duty to not use unlawful force and to render aid when acting under color of law. They also allege Reyes later denied hitting a person when questioned by federal agents, which underpins the false statement count. News outlets reported the same core details from the indictment and prosecutors’ statements.
The case turns on three separate issues that the court will sort out. First is the driving conduct in the wrong lane and through a red light. Second is the duty after a collision to remain and seek aid. Third is the added federal layer: a civil rights charge and an alleged lie to investigators. Each carries different elements and tests. The indictment supplies times, location, vehicle type, and light status, which investigators can try to match to records and video.
Why This Case Resonates Beyond One Intersection
Pedestrian hit-and-run incidents are a known problem across the country. Federal highway safety data show that 23% of pedestrian deaths in 2021 involved drivers who fled, a level that has stayed broadly steady over time. This case is different because the defendant once carried a badge and used a government vehicle. Many Americans across the political spectrum worry that powerful people play by different rules. This prosecution will test that belief in a public courtroom.
An FBI agent driving the wrong way on a Brooklyn, New York, street blew through a stoplight and plowed into a pedestrian, knocking him out, then dragged the man's body and bag to a nearby bench where he left him, federal prosecutors charged Thursday. https://t.co/nXDRwrZUKC
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) November 5, 2026
The indictment also highlights transparency and accountability. The government says Reyes used emergency lights and acted under color of law, which raises the stakes for public trust. Prosecutors will need to prove each charge with evidence, not emotion. Defense counsel will have a chance to challenge the timeline, the collision account, and the alleged denial. For now, the court record lays out a clear path to fact-check the claims through video, vehicle data, and interviews.
Sources:
washingtontimes.com, justice.gov, article.wn.com
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